^>. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


Ik 

■  50 


2.0 


1.8 


1.25     u      i/s 

^ 

6"     

► 

<? 


'^ 


/2 


v: 


dl 


•*2 


'/ 


/A 


Hiotographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


n  WEST  MiMN  STREET 

V.iBSTg'»,N.Y.  WSSO 

(716)873-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/iCIVIH 
Collection  de 
miciofiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographicaily  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


□    Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


D 


D 
D 
D 
D 

D 


D 


Couverture  endommagee 


□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul6e 


Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  g6ographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout^es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texta, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

I      I    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 


[^ 


Pages  restaur6es  et/ou  pellicui^es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d6color6es,  tachetdes  ou  piqu^es 


I      I    Pages  detached/ 


Pages  d6tach6es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


r~^  Showthrough/ 


I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


D 


Quality  in^gale  de  I'impression 


Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 


I      I    Only  edition  available/ 


D 


Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  facon  i 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

1 

/ 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

Th«  copy  filmsd  h«r«  has  b««n  r«produc«d  thanks 
to  tha  ganarosity  of  : 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 


L'axamplaira  film*  fut  raproduit  grica  A  la 
g*n4rosit*  da: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 


Tha  imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  bast  quality 
possibia  considk  ing  tha  condition  and  lagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  itaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacifications. 


Original  copias  in  printad  papar  covars  ara  filmad 
baginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustratad  impras- 
sion,  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriatb.  All 
othar  original  copias  ara  filmad  baginning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustratad  impras- 
sion,  and  andiiig  on  tha  last  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illustratad  imprassion. 


Tha  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^-  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

(Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Las  images  suivantas  ont  4t4  raproduites  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattet*  da  l'axamplaira  film*,  at  mn 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  da 
filmaga. 

Les  exemplairas  originaux  dont  la  couvarture  an 
papier  est  imprimAe  sont  film*s  en  commenpant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  an  tarminant  soit  par  la 
darniAre  paga  qui  comporta  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration.  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  las  autras  exemplairas 
originaux  sont  film6s  an  commen^ant  par  la 
pramidre  paga  qui  comporta  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  at  an  tarminant  par 
la  darniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
derniAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  ie 
symbols  y  signifie  "FIN  ". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc..  peuvent  Atre 
filmAs  *  des  taux  de  reduction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  *tre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich*.  il  est  film^  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaira.  Las  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthoda. 


\    1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

1-1.)^ 


HO 


^ 


d- 


(tyfozt/ucest 
CoUectiorv 


■■-hX 


:i:-: 


■'^>..   a,. 


I  ": : 


SPEECH 


OF 


I   HON.  JOSEPH  P.  HOGE,  OF  ILLINOIS, 


OM 


THE   OREGON    QUESTION. 


DELIVERED 


IN  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  FRIDAY,  JANUARY  30,  1846. 


WASHINGTON : 

BLAIR  &  RIVES,  PRINTERS. 

1846. 


the  House  1 
resolution 
tiign  Affairi 
tice  to  Gre 
terminate  t 
ernments  { 
the  Oregon 
months — 

Mr.   HOG 
and  said: 

Mr.  CnAiF 

this  debate  hi 
me  to  depart 
filr  pursued,  s 
Mat  upon  thii 
t|ie  hope  tha 
light  upon  a ; 
ed  the  best  s 
tion  upon  the 
is  necessarily 
urfiich  honor;: 
fhen,sir,  this 
tlon,upon  \vl 
however  hun 
full  and  free 
the  support  w 
tion,  I  shall  a 
in  my  course, 
of  those  west( 
former  occasi 
Carolina  [Mr 
self-gratulatio 
httnself  now  ] 
ofCongress, 
chusetts  []\lr 


THE    OREGON    QUESTION. 


^lic  House  having  under  consideration  the  joint 
resolution  reported  by  the  Committee  on  For- 
eign Affairs,  directing  the  President  to  give  no- 
tice to  Great  Britain  that  the  United  States  will 
terminate  the  convention  between  the  two  Gov- 
ernments providing  for  the  joint  occupation  of 
the  Oregon  territory,  at  the  expiration  of  twelve 
months — 

Mr.   HOGE,  being  entitled   to  the  floor,  rose 
and  said: 

Mr.  Chairman:  The  peculiar  character  which 
this  debate  has  been  made  to  assume,  has  induced 
me  to  depart  from  the  course  wliich  I  have  thus 
far  j)ursued,  since  I  have  had  the  honor  to  hold  a 
!»Cat  upon  this  floor.  I  certair.ly  do  not  entertain 
t|ie  hope  that  I  shall  be  able  to  throw  any  new 
light  upon  a  subject,  which  has  already  exhaust- 
ed the  best  ability  of  the  country;  but  if  our  ac- 
tion upon  the  resolution  now  under  consideration 
is  necessarily  to  have  the  important  consequences 
vdiich  honorable  gentlemen  so  confidently  predict, 
then,  sir,  this  is  not  the  occasion,  nor  this  the  ques- 
tion, upon  which  any  representative  of  the  people, 
however  humble  he  may  be,  should  withhold  the 
full  and  free  expression  of  his  opinions.  Sir,  in 
the  support  which  I  propose  to  give  to  this  resolu- 
tion, I  shall  at  least  have  the  merit  of  consistency 
in  my  course.  I  do  not  Hill  within  the  category 
of  those  western  gentlemen,  to  whose  vote  upon  a 
former  occasion  the  honorable  member  from  South 
Carolina  [Mr.  Rhett]  has  referred  with  so  much 
self-gratulation,  in  defence  of  the  course  he  was 
hunself  now  pursuing.  When,  at  the  lost  session 
ofCongress,  the  honorable  member  from  Massa- 
chusetts [Mr,  Adams]  moved  the  insertion  of  a 


clause  in  the  Oregon  bill,  then  pending  before  this 
House,  similar,  in  its  character  nnd  oDjects,  with 
the  resolution   reported  from  the  Committee  on 
Foreign   Afl'airs,   now  under  discussion,  I  gave 
the  honorable  member  my  most  hearty  support. 
I  voted  for  his  proposition  in  committee;  I  voted 
for  it  in  the  House;  I  voted  for  it  as  incorpo- 
rated in  the  bill  itself,  on  its  final  passage.     I 
believed  myself  right  then:  I  have  had  no  cause 
to  change  that   belief,  or  to  regret   the  course 
which  I  then  pursued.     But,  sir,  in  then  giving 
this  measure  my  support,  hi  every  stage  of  its 
progress  through  this  House,  I  did  so  silently. 
1  should  gladly  have  pursued  the  same  course  now, 
but  that  I  am  not  disposed  to  be  forced  to  assume 
the  position,  which  it  seems  to  be  resolved  all  the 
advocates  of  this  measure  shall  occupy  before  the 
House  and  the  country,  that  of  one  determined,  at 
all  hazards,  to  plunge  this  country  into  the  horrors 
of  war — a  war,  too,  according  to  the  predictions  of 
honorable  gentlemen,  necessarily  to  result  in  defeat 
and  disgrace  to  the  arms  of  our  country — with- 
out at  least  attempting  to  give  the  reasons  which 
govern  me  in  the  course  I  feel  myself  impelled  to 
pursue.     Least  of  all,  sir,  am  1  disposed  silently 
to  be  placed  in  such  a  position,  wlien,  in  the  de- 
liberate conviction  of  my  judgment,  in  supporting 
the  passage  of  the  resolution  on  your  table,  I  am 
advocating  the  6£s<,  ifnot  the  only  means  of  pre- 
serving the  peace  of  the  country,  and  bvinging  this 
long  vexed  and  dangerous  question  to  a  favorable 
and  final  issue. 

Although,  Mr.  Chairman,  I  am  free  to  confess 
that  I  entertain  no  love  for  Great  Britain,  yet  I  am 
by  no  means  so  full  of  that  warlike  furor,  which 
an  honorable  member  from  Indiana,  [Mr.  C.  B. 


yj/ 


?<u 


Smith.]  wlm  mlilrt'sscd  l!ir  r,n)ninittrf>  nome  days 
fiiin'i;,  Noenu'd  to  lliiiik  lUM-rssarily  l>(l(iii;i;til  to  tin: 
Reprrsentdtivr.'  of  llm  Stiilf.  tVoiii  wliicli  I  have  tlir 
honor  to  coiiKi.  ('aiulor,  liowevrr,  ronipcls  nii!  to 
admit,  tliiit  tlic  .spcnclics  of  two  of  my  colUni^iicH, 
who  liitve  precodcd  me  in  litis  dehiitc,  wcro,  to  say 
the  least,  not  piirlirularly  well  ralcuhUcd  to  di.spd 
the  notions  Avni(!h  the  iioiiorahic  nit'ml)i'r  nccmed 
to  entertain;  lor  one  of  tlicin,  in  his  zeul  for  the 
ivholr  of  Orej^oii  williont  delay,  waa  resolved  to 
fight  anyhow,  herause  it  was  our  "manifest  desti- 
ny" to  riu;ht;  and  the  otiier  was  not  only  satisfied 
of  our  title  up  to  54^  4U',  luit.  seemed  disposed  to 
claim  to  the  north  pol'',  if  not  a  IHtle  further.  Sir, 
it  was  not  my  fortune  to  parlieipate  either  in  the 
dauirers  or  the  honm's  of  tlie  glorious  campaiifii  to 
which  the  lionorahle  mem!)er  from  Indiana  [Mr. 
Smith]  has  so  faeetiously  alluded;  but,  sir,  with- 
out in'-  ndiiiir,  in  the  slightest  degree,  to  be  invidi- 
ous, or  with  any  disjiosition  to  pluek  a  single  leaf 
from  those  gre-en  laurels  which  the  honorable  mem- 
ber seemed  to  think  so  gracefully  became  the  mod- 
est brows  of  my  two  (Colleagues,  I  must  be  pei-mit- 
ted  to  say,  that  I  have  never  known  so  brilliant  a 
military  reputation  achieved  in  a  campaign  so 
bloodless  in  its  results.  Duf,  sir,  one  \;'ord  more 
to  my  honorable  colleague,  [Mr.  Baker,]  who  ha.s 
just  taken  his  seat.  It  was  certainly  very  naturnl 
that  my  colleague  should  desire  to  place  himself 
right  before  the  House  and  the  country  upon  the 
subject  of  his  political  position, although,  where  my 
colleague  is  known,  it  would  have  been  a  work  of 
supererogation.  Surely  my  colleague  could  not 
have  supposed  that  there  was  any  danger  of  liis 
being  mistaken  for  a  Democrat,  or  suspected  of  any 
leaning  towards  the  cause  of  the  people,  at  home. 
But  I  regret,  sir,  that  in  his  zeal  and  anxiety  to 
clear  liis  skirts  of  even  the  suspicion  of  Democracy, 
my  colleague  should  have  cut  himself  oft' from  all 
hope,  nnd  repudiated  in  his  own  case  the  benefit  of 
that  most  consolitary  doctrine,  where  the  psalmist 
announces  to  the  unfortunate,  that 

"While  tin;  liuni)  holds  out  to  burn, 
Tlie  ttilcst  sinnerniay  return." 

I  regret  much,  sir,  that  attempts  sliould  have  been 
made  in  some  parts  of  this  House,  during  the  course 
of  the  debate,  to  give  to  this  cjuestion  a  sectional — 
a  party — nay,  even  a  personal  character !  Sir,  if 
the  remarks  of  the  honorable  member  from  New 
York,  [Mr.  Prkston  Kivg,]  mingling  with  this 
discussion  the  name  and  position  of  a  distinguish- 
ed southern  statesman,  for  whose  high  and  com- 
manding intellect  I  have  always  entertained  the 
most  pixjfound  respect — a  res]iect  yielding  not  to 
that  of  his  best  friend — were,  in  my  judgment, 
most  unfortunate;  the  retort  they  provoked  from 
the  honorable  member  from  South  Carolina  [Mr. 
Rhett]  was  no  less  unfortunate.  Sir,  I  tell  the 
honorable  member  from  South  Carolina,  he  never 
was  more  mistaken  in  his  life,  if  he  supjxjses  for  a 
moment  that  any  considerations  of  personal  eleva- 
tion, or  personal  downfall,  lie  at  the  bottom  of  this 
great  Oregon  movement.  No,  sir;  it  emanates  from 
a  far  different  source.  It  comes  from  the  great 
American  heart.  It  is  no  western — no  sectional — 
no  party  question.  It  is  a  great  national — a  great 
American  question.  Sir,  it  may  be,  and  I  believe 
it  xcill  be,  that  this  great  question ,  in  its  resistless 


progress,  will  crush  brnenth  its  sv«  ight  hu/irti/iiH. 
uspiraliom,  indivitlual  hnpis.  No  great  f|nestion  oi 
nalioiial  policy  has  ever  yet,  sir,  in  our  history,  ut 
l.iined  the  final  con.summation  of  ."luccess  by  aiu 
other  path  than  that  leading  through  whole  grnrr 
yards  of  dead  politicians!  I  know  not  if  si.ic.h  po 
litical  fatality  is  dcslined  to  attend  the  issue  of  thi; 
On  gon  »iuestion;  but  sure  I  am,  the  jiolitician't 
fate  can  neither  accplcrate  nor  impede  its  onwan: 
proirress.  Sir,  whatever  may  be  our  action  on  tin 
present  resolution — vote  as  we  may^we  ciiniid 
long  delay  or  avoid  the  issue.  With  or  withoii 
the  notice — with  or  without  the  action  of  tin 
House — there  is  a  sjiirit  abroad  in  the  countri 
which  vlll  It'll  hf  laid;  which  ici//  bring  thisquestio. 
loan  issue, even  though  it  dots  involve  the  "ajbt/ni 
iitent  of  the  cannon's  mouth!" 

I  look   ujion   this  discu.<!sion   as,  in   pome   rr 
spects,  presenting  the  most  extraordinary  aspeci 
Unanimity  of  opinion,  ]>erhaii8  unexampled,  pit 
vails  U})on  all    sides  of  the   House,  with   refer 
encc  to  the  rif!;hts  of  the  country  as  involved  i 
the  question.     We  are  all  for  Oregon,  the  h'/joI 
of  Oregon,  and  for  Oregon  now!    The  great  pc 
litical,  commercial,  and  military  advantages  cor 
nected  with  the  ownership  and  possession  of  tli 
Oregon  country,  none  question.     Our  title,  all  pn 
nouncc  valid,  clear,  and  indisputable.     Even  tl; 
honorable   and    learned    gentleman   from   Mas.*;!' 
chusetts,  [Mr.  Wintiirop,]  who  seemed  to  thin 
that  title  dmwn  from  musty  and  obscure  source.- 
did  not  take  his  seat  until  he  had  avowed  his  coi 
viction,  not  alone  that  it  was  superior  to  that  i 
England,  but  that  it  would  stand  tlic  test  and  qucr 
of  a  court  of  justice.  But  no,  sir;  I  am  a  little  to 
fast.     A  late  stage  of  this  debate  has  given  bin 
to  some  doubt  upon  these  points,  on  which   oi 
unanimity  seemed  to  be  so  f^encraL   It  was  reser' 
ed  for  an  honorable  representative  from  the  anciei 
Commonwealth  of  Virginia  [Mr.  Pendleton]  ; 
discover,  in  the  face  of  notorious  fact,  in  the  ver 
teeth  of  every  historiair,  diplomatist,  or  orato 
who  lias  ever  yet  written  or  spoken  upon  this  que 
tion,  that  the  Oregon  territory,  to  use  the  languas 
of  the  honorable  member  himself,  "was  not  wor; 
a  farthing."     But,  srir,  this  is  not  all.     Anotlv 
distinguished  member  [Mr.  Batl-y]  from  the  saii 
Commonwealth,  has  made  the  still  more  olarmii 
discovery,  that  the  American  title  to  the  Oreg( 
north  of  the  forty-ninth  parallel  is  not  worth 
^''jot."    That  line,  according  to  the  honorable  gc 
tleman,  forms  the  impassable  wdl,  which  bourn 
and  limits  the  advance  of  the  American  settler 
the  north-     Sir,  the  honorable  member  had  co 
sumed  liis  hour  in  a  labored  argument  in  defeii 
of  this  position.    An  ai^ument,  sir,  at  war  wi 
the  dij)lomatic  position  of  this  Government  for  t 
last  thirty  years,  in  utter  defiance  and  contempt 
irrefragable  facts,  sustained  by  the  unansweral 
arguments  of  the  most  acute,  able,  and  distingui> 
ed  diplomatists  this  or  any  other  country  has  ev 
})roduced.    But,  sir,  to  my  still  greater  surpri? 
the  member  from  Virginia  had  been  followed  by; 
honorable  gentleman  from  Indiana,  [Mr,  Owkx 
who   had   undertaken   to  show,  by  an  argume 
which  I  must  be  permitted  to  say,  with  all  duedt 
erence  for  the  acknowledged  ability  of  that  hoiio 
able  gentlenuin,  was  move  speciotis  than  sound- 


more  niren 
only  to  fort 
[Mr.Ow 
Sir.  I  dn 
position. 
nicmber  st( 
hiinsf  lff(n-i 
of  the  Anil 
The  infcrei 
in  the  opini 
^ood  above 
has  placed 
n<it  propose 
no  longer 
committed  1 
^■c  nation— 
executi%-e  d 
sir,  I  regret 
ginia  upon  t 
from  her,  .' 
honorable  i 
the  State  of 
Ajax  Telan 
to  commcni 
ginian  tosoi 
sir,  from  a 
in  this  1 1on 
to  take  mili 
to  such  ari. 
these  bono 
ginia,  that  ( 

"  Such 
'  could    1)6 

•  opponents 

•  facts,  of  01 
'  monstratci 
'  trade)  to  i 
'  was   their 
'  and  in  ev 
'  ain,  final 
'  furs  for  1 
'  put  uj)on 
'  surrender 

•  virtue  ol' 
♦^  CO  very,  oc 

•  necessary 
'  aries  as  it 

•  her  comm 
'  count  for 
'  The  prin 
'  ration  of 

•  How  will 

•  we  mean 
'Why,  wl 

•  lives  of  a 
'  England  t 
'  think  at  a 
'  in  that  H 

der^i:rtr  of 
'  and  appre 

•  British  en 
'  giving  cat 
'  was  indis 
'  sion  on  t 
'  pttssibly  1 

Sir,  this 
from  the 
patriotism 


t 


t  i-lu  i7if/irt(/i(i;  '"'^"'''  iii!?'''"''^"^  ''''1"  trnr— that  our  title  was  good 
'  "  and  a  half 


rat  qiu'stloi.  ,„onlv  t"  tufty-.iiiK"  and  a  hal 
Murl'ist.,ry,al       [Vlr  f)w..-.voxi.lain..d.l 


friiin  tlic  ^cntloKian's 
'li  whiilf  LTniY  P'"^'""""  '  nio'cly  state  a  fact.  Tlic  lionnrahk' 
Hot  if  Hudi  1)0  ix'"'"'''  «t<wid  lip  Iktc  id  iiis  \Aaro,  and  ciiiplnyrd 
lie  isHiie  of  tiii  hiiris(  11' foran  hour  i;i  (li'iuonstratiiiL'  tiic  smindncss 
tlic  nolitician''*'*  ''"''  ''^'i"''"''''*"  ''''e  up  •'•  t'orly-ninc  and  a  iia!C 
i».de  its  onwan  T'"'  '"''''''"''''  "'U'li'  V"Ty  naturally  la;  drawn  that, 
a('ii()n  on  tin'"  ''"'  "I''"'"'  "'"'I'"'  honorable  tncniln'i-,  it  was  not 

!,.'   „  „  ,...,..,,  Ifiod  above'  t.liat  point.     TIk:  ari,niniruit  wliirh  lie 
a\ — we   CiiniKi  p  '         ,  T     ,  o'     t  i 

Villi  or  witlioii  '''^*  pnu'i'd  upon  record  ffoes  no  farther,     hir,  1  do 
action   of  tlii  ""'  P'""!""^*^  ^'^  "^  '"'"  '^'"^  qurstion  of  title.     It  is 
in 


the   country""   l""i,"-'-  open 


for  nn^uincnt.     We  are  already 
ii'Mlilsfiue'stio  ''''''^'"'''''''  ''^  every  solemn  lonti  which  can  bind 
ve  iho  "ar/n/n,  '''  "'">"'-''y  t''^  rec.rd  of  our  diploinacy-by 
exf:culr\-e  declaration — by  lci,'i.siativeaciion.     lint, 
sir,  I  reirn:tto  find  the  position  of  liie  Slate  of  Vir- 
I,  in   .'•'onie    n  p,i,||.,  „j|,,|,  (hi.s(pie.siion,.sofaras  we  have  yet  heard 
iiilinary  ;i.spe('i  fj.,,1,1  j^,,^^  j,,,  ehaiif^ed.     Time  was,  sir,  when  an 
icxanipled,  pri  honorable  and  disliii;,'uislied  Rei)resentalive  from 
se,   with    i"'''('f  the  State  of  Viri!;inia  stood  up. Ill  this  floor,  the  very 
as  involved  i  ^j.^^^  Xeliunon  of  ihis  Orei^on  (piestion  !     I  desire 
"'^r?,^'  "^^' to  ccnnniend  the  cmii-se  of  that  patrio'ie  old  Vir- 

ilie  great  P^  giiii:,n  to  snmeofher  jdof/^cnrepreseiitaiives.  I  read, 
(dvaiitages  coi  jjp^  jYom  a  speech  of  Governor  l''hn-d,  delivered 
lase.s.sion  ol  tli  ;„  ,i,j^  Hou.qo  in  18:28,  upon  the  l.ill  then  lumdinir, 
'ur  tulc,^all  pn  ^^  j.jj^.p  j,,^/;/^)-;;  possrssinn  of  the  Orej^on.  In  reply 
able,  i'^vcn  tl;  ^  mucIi  aru:unieuts  as  we  now  hear  coining  from 
n  from  Mass;  ^'^^^.^^  lioiioral)le  <:eiitlemen  from  the  State  of  Vir- 
jeemed  to  thin  ginj^^  t],;it  distina-uislied  man  said: 
bscure  source-  "Such  was  the  ar;j:umcnt,  if  arirument  it 
avowed  his  coi  .  coul, I  be  called,  wdiich  was  advanced  hy  tlie 
erior  to  that  i  «  opponen's  of  the  bill,  in  the  very  face  of  plain 
e^test  and  qiicr  .  f.^d.s,  of  official  statements,  of  fi-ures,  which  de- 
1- am  a  little  to  .  p,„„^l,.,^p^j  ^^\^^  bencfu.s  of  that  trade  (the  fur 
has  given  bin  .  t,.,^,i,.)  ,„  Q,.,,.jt  i3,.it;iin_of  that  Britain  winch 
i'  ^i"  ^^  '^'  '  was   their  great  commercial   rival   on  every  sea 

L  It  w-as  reser  .  j^„ J  j,,  every  market  of  tiie  world— of  that  Hrit- 
^om  the  anciei  «ain,  finally,  from  whom  America  must  purchase 
Pendleton]  ;  « fm-^  foi-  lier  own  use,  at  whatever  ])rice  might  be 
fact,  in  the  ver  «  p,,t  ujion  them,  if  she  tamely  consented  to  the 
atist,  or  oratn  •  surrender  of  a  country  which  was  justly  hers  by 
lupoii  this  que  .  virtue  of  the  great  basi.s  of  all  va'lid  ti'ilcs— dis- 
use the  languar  f  covcry,  occupancy,  and  treaty,  and  which  was  as 
"was  not  woi"  •  necessary  for  the  security  of  her  western  bound- 
>t  all.  Anotli'  <  dries  as  it  was  desirable  for  the  liest  iiilerests  of 
r]  from  the  saii  » jif,,.  commerce.  He  was  really  at  a  loss  to  ac- 
1  more  alarmii  <  count  for  the  peculiar  objections  made  to  the  bill. 
;  to  the  Oregi  « I'lj^-  principal  one  was  merely  an  incessant  reitc- 
is  not  worth  « ration  of  the  cry,  <  What  will  England  think  ? 
I  honorable  gc  «  How  will  England  receive  the  intelligence  that 
,  which  bouii;  ♦  we  mean  to  occupy  the  territory  in  question!' 
lerican  settler  '  Why,  what  was  it"  to  them,  as  the  reprcsenla- 
ember  had  co  « tives  of  a  great  and  independent  nation,  what 
ment  in  defeii  «  England  thought,  or  whether  she  condescended  to 
sir,  at  war  wi  '  think  at  all  alioiit  the  matter?  Were  they  to  sit 
rernment  for  l  'in  that  House  and  legislate  for  a  <rreaf  nation  un- 
and  contempt  der  fear  of  the  dhpUusnve  of  England  '  He  knew 
le  unansweral  <  and  appreciated  the  power  and  influence  of  the 
and  distingui?  »  British  empire,  but  he  did  not  fear  it;  for  as  to 
;ountry  has  ev   'giving  cruise  of  displeasure,  that  country  had,  it 

♦  was  indisputable,  as  much  reason  for  apprehen- 
'sion  on  that   score  as  the  United  States  could 

•  possibly  have." 
Sir,  this  is  the  kind  of  patriotism  T  love  to  hear 

fifom  the  mouth  of  a  Virginian.  I  like  not  tluvt 
yofthathoiio  patriotism  which  stops  to  count  the  cost — which 
13  than  sound- 


rpris 
bvi 


jreater  sur 
a  followed  by 
a,  [Mr.  OwKN 
)y  an  ar^me 
with  all  duedf 


trembles  and   turns  pale  at   consequences — wlii'  h 
hesitates,  whi'  h  doulits,  wliiih  falters,  when  gnat 
national  inlen  sts  are  in  tpu  stion — when  great  na- 
tional rights    arc  at  stake.     Hut,  sir,  I  must  be 
permitted,  in  passing,  to  render  the  tribute  of  my 
admiration   to  another  honorable  irentleman,  who 
has  figured  in  this  ddiale.     Amidst  all  this  war 
panic,  it  was  prc-eniineiitly  n  servi d  for  the  mem- 
ber from  South  Carolina  [Mr.  Hoi.Mr.s]    to   "  cap 
tlie  climax,  and   render  the  catastrophe  of  horror 
complete."'     With  all  the  skill  and  coolness  of  the 
veteran  sur;reni!,  the  lionora'ilo  member,  with  a 
species  of  moral  anatomy,  has  jiractised  upon  tlie 
nerves  of  the  nation,  and  exliil)itcd  them  bleeding 
and  (pii\ering  to  the  gaze  of  tiii:  work! !     lUil,  sir, 
the  hiniorai)le  member  did  not  stop  li('re,but,  iiy  a 
strange  inconsisfeucy,  after  lashin;:  lis  roviiid  the 
world,   without   hope   of  success,   or  prospect  of 
safety,    even  in  flight,  met  and  beaten   at    every 
(loint — disgraced  and  dishonored,  in  a  war  foolish- 
ly   jirovokrd — the  lionorable   inemlaT  closed   his 
speech  in  a  blaze  of  ghny  to   be  achieved  by  the 
Sumicrs,  the  IMiickneys.  and  all  the  other  "game 
cocks"  of  the  A;«g'''"'i  "f  South  Carolina  I     Sir, 
there  is  good    in  all    thiiiir--'.     I   congratulate   liie 
House  and  the  coiiuiry  cm  the  relvrn  of  the  State 
of  South  Carolina  to  reason!      In  tlie   newborn 
zeal  maiiifesK^d  by  her  Ile]>resentatives  upon  this 
floor  for  peace — jieace,  no  matter  what  the  sacri- 
fice, I  am  happy  to  [lerccive  the   indication  that 
some  small  admixture  of  prxidtnce  is  hereafter  to 
mingle   in    her  councils.     Sir,  according   to   the 
honorable  gentleman  from  South  Carolina.  [Air. 
RiiKTT,]  it  is  revolting  to  the  Clirislian  spirit  of  the 
age  in  which  we  live,  to  contemplate;  for  a  moment 
the  ]iossibilify  of  this  nation  plunging  into  the  hor- 
rors of  war  in  defence  of  a  "  laprc  territorial  rig/i/.'' 
JYay,  sir,  we  here,   in  the  National  Leirislatuit:-, 
must  not  dare  to  assert,  by  legislative  action,  the 
acknowledg'ed  riirhtsofihe  nation,  for /lor  of  such 
a  result.     S<nitli  Carolina  is  not  now  ready  to  run 
tlie  hazard  of  war  in  vindication  of  the  national 
rights!    How  strange  the  mutations  of  human  pur- 
pose!    Sir,  how  long  is  it  since  the  State  of  South 
Carolina  was  ready  to  plunge  this  nation  in  a  war — 
not  with  our  ancient  enemy,  not  with  a  foreign 
]>ower  in  defence  of  the  integrity  of  the  national 
soil — but  a  war,   sir,  wiiich  should  arm  brother 
against  brother,  father  against  father,  countryman 
against  countryman!     Andforwhat,  sir?    In  re- 
sistance of  the  law  of  the  land,  enacted  by  the  su- 
preme Legislature,  in  her  opinion  contravening  the 
sovereign  and  cc)nstituiional  rights  of  the  State! 
Nay,  sir,  it  is  but  as  yesterday,  that  an  honorable 
and  distiniruishcd  Senator  from  the  State  of  South 
Carolina,  standing  in  his  place  in  the  Senate  Hall, 
coolly  anticipated  the  disruption  of  this  Union  as 
the  necessary  consequence  of  a  persistance  in  the 
tariff  policy  of  the  country,  and  calmly  and  dispas- 
sionately speculated  u]ion  the  formation  of  distinct 
and  separate  Governments  from  the  fragments.    A 
scheme,  sir,  only  to  bo  consummated  upon  the 
ruins  of  the  Constitution — only  to  be  carried  out 
amid  the  horrirs  of  a  civil  and  a  servile  war!  Sir, 
when  I  heard  the  sound  of  pacific  notes  coming 
from  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  South  Ca- 
rolina, I  felt  disposed   to  congratulate  myself — to 
congratulate  the  country — upon  the  certainty  that 


6 


wo  sliniild  in  loii'j;('r  Ikuc  ciiif^r  t)  fi  .ir  fnun  Hint 
<|ii;ini|MUa':Ksii|iiiii  \hr  |icniiiiiiiiicc  ofiliis  Union, 
r.r.t.  .sir,  I  nai.st  ciml'i  ss  tlijit  my  I'onfiilrni'c  wa.s  ii 
link;  sliakcn  wlif  n  1  luanl  tliosc  san\('  niinisti  rs  nf 
|iracc  iVdiii  ll,(;  Sialc  ul'Snutli  Candina,  in  llu;  vrry 
next  hnalli,  at'lcr  |it(ai'iiini;-  linniiiics  npon  |ifaf(', 
cDUii.sillin;;  n.s  ratini-  in  sacrifice  ilic  nalioiial  riirlit.-^ 
Ilian  lin/.anl  the  peace  (if  a  "  Cliihlidn  iinijil," — 
tiinaten  In  |>iill  llie  \  ery  |.i|iars  of  ilie  ronstitiitinn 
ulnmi  (lur  ears,  if. sonic  iiiirtlicni  fanatic,  with  nae- 
rile;;i(Uis  liaiul,  ilareil  lint  a|i|)roacli  the  pei-ii!iar 
suciiil  ri;;iit.s  (if  ihe  Hmilli  1 

r>ni,  sir,  J  return  to  the  point  fniiii  whicli  I  have 
wandered.  'I'liis  unusnal  niianiinity  i.f  opinimi 
pri.vailiiii;  (111  nil  sides  (if  this  Ilmisi-,  Id  wliiidi  I 
have  alhul  d,  seems  to  exliansl  itself  in  thr  tlis- 
cus.sion  of  the  pn  liniinary  qneslions  cdiinorted 
with  this  Oirfjdii  Cdiitroversy.  When  it  is  pro- 
posed  td  j^'ive  f(irin  and  hndy  to  onr  (ipinidiis; 
when  actidii  is  the  nliject;  when  it  is  sdnL;ht  to 
taki;  the  fir.st  step  in  the  maintenance,  in  the  as- 
.sertidii,  of  thdse  ■.••reat  natinnal  ri-hts,  which  all 
iidniit  wo  p(issess,aii(l  wliii  h  iKine  coiitr(n  ert,  sir, 
we  are  no  loii^fr  unaniinons!  Tin;  President  of 
the  United  Stales,  in  performance  of  the  duty 
wiiicli  th(!  Constiinlidii  devolves  upon  him,  lias 
unnoinKU'd  to  this  House  and  the  country  that  all 
iie;,'oiiation  betwtjcn  this  Governmont  and  Cireat 
IJritain,  on  the  Oreijon  (inestidii,  is  at  an  end;  thai, 
the  last  projidsition  of  ilie  Ain(M'i('an  neirotiator 
has  been  v.iihdrawn;  and  tli:!t  the  time  has  at 
loii'^lh  arrived  when  our  rii;lits  nuist  he  main- 
tained or  uhaiidoneii:  and  the  whole  .subject  is  sub- 
luilttd  to  ihe  iinal  uetiiai  of  C'on;.'-re.ss.  IlespoiiNive 
to,  and  in  compliance  with,  the  Exe(;utive  recom- 
mendation, the  Commiitee  on  Foreign  Alliiirs  lia.s 
rej)orted  to  the  IIousi;  tin;  joint  resolution  now 
under  consideration,  directing  the  President  of  the 
United  Slates  to  '.^i\e  the  neci'ssary  notice  to  the 
Govennneiit  of  (inai  Britain  for  the  termination 
of  the  convention  of  ]>18,  in  conformity  with  the 
provisions  and  stipulations  of  the  convention  it- 
self as  extended  and  conthiued  in  forc(>  by  the 
treaty  of  1627.  No  sooner  does  this  pro])ositi(m 
iiiuke  its  appearance — a  proposition,  in  my  hum- 
ble jnd;L;iueni,  with  reference  to  the  present  ]io.-i- 
tion  of  the  n  latioiis  df  the  two  countries,  and  the 
peculiar  condition  oi"  the  ierrit(n'y  in  controversy, 
self-evident  ill  its  policy  and  propriety — than  it  is 
met  by  a  .stoi'm  of  op])ositiun:  its  advocates  are 
denounced  us  the  war  |)arty,  resolved  at  all  haz- 
ards, and  re^-ardless  of  consequences,  to  precijii- 
tate  the  country  into  an  unequal  and  disastrous 
conflict  with  the  i;reat  master  Power  of  modern 
Europe.  iNay,  sir,  the  passa^je  of  this  resolution 
is  })ronouncctl  a  dedaration  of  war!  To  use  the 
laiii^aai^e  of  an  hoiidraljlc  member  from  Viri:;inia, 
[Mr.  Pk\ulkton-,]  it  is  war  not  only  "  inevitable, 
but  immediate."  True,  sir.  the  cdlleac;ue  of  the 
honorable  gentleman  [Mr.  Uavly]  did  not  accord 
with  this  position;  that  honorable  member  pro- 
nouncing: it  absurd  to  say  or  think  that  mere  no- 
tice, of  itselt",  would  be  war  or  any  caus(>  of  war; 
but  contending;-  that  the  measures  with  which  it 
was  proposed  to  follow  up  the  notice  would  neces- 
sarily bring  iibout  hostilities  between  the  two  coun- 
tries. But  ill  that  position,  the  correctness  of 
which  I  ain  not  now  cxaiuiiiinir,  the  honorable 


((JBblc  i:eni 
jclaratidii 


srrnileman  diffi  red  friiin  all  who  preceded  or  I 
fdllnwcd  hiiii  in  this  d(  bate  in  op[<(i..iiion  to 
mciisurc  under  consideration. 

Till' honnrahle  -cntleman   fvom  Alfdianm  [MS"^-''  '"  "' 

that  the  ireamve  nt  si 
t  the  time  of  lO"  "»  "" 
:u!d|ition,  avowedly  a  substitute  tor  war;  and  t!i'*'"*""'['  ''' 
its  re|ieal  now,  in  the  manner  proposed,  winild  jBlf  a'"'  "'i 
war  itself  I  Sir,  the  honorable  member  is  wlidr'^'"'  ^>^""" 
mistaken  in  the  objects  and  nature  of  llu;  ne.:'**'  "*  Y" 
tiations  which  preceded  and  resulted  in  tlie  tremf^l'"^'^" ," 
of  ]."^1H.  Those  ncKotiatioiis  were  nndertaki  i*''""y  "' ' 
not  for  the  purpdso  of  settlini,'  the  Oreiron  (nicstiniO'i^*''!'"'."' 
but   for  the   final   di  terminatinn  of  the  adidiii  ii'doi't'on' 

if  houndar 


■    III        ll<  'll<  '  I  Lt>  ri<  ^t    IlllVlllllli         |l<'lll 

Y.wrr.vJ  itssunn  d    tin;    iidsitidii, 
proposet!  to   be  abrogated  was,  tit 


tniadjusleil  tU  thi;  treaty 


(|nestidns  i<  It  open  aiii 

(iheiit.      Aiiidii:;'  tlidse   (iitestidns,   the  due  mniinils  ol'tli 


nil  t;;entleman,  to  a  successful  termination.    An"'"  ""^   P'' 
K  r,  sir,  w;is  the  final  set'lemenl  of  tin;  boundav'^'.^'y.;    '" 


(iillicult  of  satisfactory  adjushnent,  the  most  ci  ne^*  "P"" 

barrassiiiir  to  the  two  Gov(  rnnienis,  was  the  she"'''  "|  ''' 

question,  alluded  to  by  the   Imndrable  i;(-ntlem;'P'^"  ''''' 

from    Massachnst  Its,    [:\Ir.   Apams,]   and   whii'PO"   '    "' 

w.'is  alt(  rwards  conducted,  under  the  auspices  /OBsels,  cit 

that 

th 

lielween  Great  IJritain  and  the  TTnited  Stat(;.s, 

of  the  llo'ky  mountains.     DuriiiL,'  thosi!  nei; 

lions,  Great  Pritain,  for  the  firat  lime,  uncoven-'*^'^  '^^'"**  " 

her  pretensions  of  title  on   the  northwest  coas*^  '"/'  *'^l 

basing  them  uiion   fabulous  voyai^es,  and  up'>^  tfdveii 

pretended  juirchasi  ^'  from  Indian  chiefs  south  ,Bni^""  •'" 

the  Cdlumbia  river,  tuitecedent  to  the  Am(  rici'^^'y  *;'j'' 

Uevolution;  which  pretensions,  absurd  ,and  u  ho!!?'*  '']'    ''^' 

unfomuh'd  as  thcv  were,   she  afierwards,  in  t!""  Govcri 


iBimilar  l 
itjiries  upon 


(I  as  iiicy  were,  she  anerwards,  m  .. 
ne2;oliaii(nis  of  ]8:Jf!  and  H:27,  abandoned,  ar'*'^''''''  *'  . 
placed  the  record  of  her  title  in  tlui  provisions  i'"''  ,  ,  '"*^' 
the  iVootka  Sound  convention,  so  often  alluded  i™'!!^''  ''•^,*^_ 
in  this  debate.  The  honorable  member  fnnu  Al;  ''"'.'  ^"' 
bama  [Mr.  Yaxckv]  can  therefore  find  no  found; tfe"^""^''" 
lion  for  his  position  in  the  character  of  the  ne^^i  jj*'"''.  ^"\-'^' 
tiatidus  (if  181S.  I  am,  however,  sir,  aumcient!^rei2:n  G< 
charitable  to  believe  that  the  American  nei^-otiator  "*'"'-'  ""'  ? 
when  tin  y  consented  to  admit  the  article  in  que.-®"'"  '^'^'*^'' 
tion  into  the  convention  of  1818  in  relation  to  tli  "*''  to  us 
Orei;on  territory,  were  but  illy  infm-med  of  tli  ■''=  '"  '"; 
extent  and  character  of  the  rii^hts  they  were  r^  """J"?  "'  j' 
dani^eriiii;' — of  the  empire  they  were  perilling-,  pttiliate  tli 
iMt  treating  away  !  That  unfortunate  article,  sir  sa^iT'"'^' 
lercd  to  creep  into  the  provisions  of  that  con\f;i.  ™'''''^',^  ^* 
is  the  fruitful  source  of  all  the  diflicultii  » s"|.ler  n 
),  for  the  last  thirty  years,  have  beset  tl:  «^^  V'''?" 


lion, 
whic 


^)ath  of  the  Oregon,  and  seem  now,  in  the  ojnnie  "W"'^^'  ^'} 

of  gentlemen,  about  to  endanger  the  peace  of  tl.  ^""^i"*^'! 

world!    But,  sir,  by  what  sjiecies  of  logic  the  pas  ~^''  "'^^*1 

sage  of  this  resolution,  Mhich  will  at  once  rcliev  J^*^,\  |f^','^'^ 

us  from  this  treaty  incubus,  can  be  made  to  ii> 

snme  an  oilensivc  character,  nay,  to  amount  lu 

declaration  of  war  itself,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  coi, 

]ireiiend.     In  antici|iation  of  that  period  which  : 

was  presumed  would  sooner  or  later  arrive,  wlu. 

the  provisions  of  the  treaty  might  no  longer  prov 

consistent  with  the  rights  and  interests  of  the  par 

ties,  the  (Convention  itself  was  made  to  provide  tl: 

means  of  its  own  df'termination.     How  then,  sir 

can  the  mere  exercise  of  an  acknowledged  riuL 

in  coiiformity  with  an  express  treaty  stipul.-itii'. 

in  the  very  conventioii  we  jiropose  to  abrogale- 

tlie  compact  itself — the  very  thing  and  for  the  ver; 

purpose  we  have  contracted, — how,  sir,  can  su': 

a  plahi,  ordinary,  inevitable,  and  aulicijKitcd  cveu; 


falter  t 
1^0,  sir. 
eeutivp  di 
second  to 
man  who 
never  sto 
olate  upo 
dangers. 
of  a  ques 
But  no  \ 
liquidate 
How  (lii 
Ami'ricai 
her  from 
Vhat  toi 


i)|il'<).  Mioii  ti) 


[VI       III     MICH      il    »   I'M*  1'    lllMl.  JVO.Jlllniii-,       m^^     I'-'.'i 

1  ns  an  atliuittcd  r.u't,  every  Kmiuiiciil  dl"  tlif 
isme  lias  straii^lilwiiy  iinictrdtil  KxinuiHchim- 


I)  i>rf»(.i!o,|  or  li.ii'  lort\irf'<l  iiUo  ft  wnrlike  (lomf-nslmlinn?    Ilon- 
iralilc  ircdtlf'iiicii  who  pniiiinmct  iliis  icsoliitiiiii  a 
jclaratiiiii  of  war,  Imvr  imt  (li.ii;Miil   to  <  nli:;littii 
"111  Alahaiiia  [M»  is  t"  il"'  pniccsH  of  rtasuiiiiiir  liy  wliidi  ilicy 
';i,  tluit  the  trra'tivf  nt  nucIi  a  rmivii'tion.     AsHuiuiii'^^  tlic  poni- 
af   tlic   tiiiic  of  jOn 

for  war;  iind  t!|l««i«"i'«^  l">^  .straii^lilway 

I'oposcd,  would  isif  aial  llic  Jloiist!  witli  cloiiiiciil,  iiisinu'tivc,  mid 
Oil  iiilicr  i.s  w  liojt  tl'"-  '^"'I't-  'i'"''  palliilic,  lioiuilics  iipuii  llu;  lior- 
'iinrc  of  lilt;  )ir-,(»rs  of  war  and  tin;  licaiilics  of  iPtaci'I     Sir,  is  tiic 
lilted  ill  tl;c  trcaiWipii^fd  step  ho  imn.siial  niid  tiiilicard-of  in  tlic 
were   iiiidcrtiild  .tttory  of  iiitcriiatioiial  rt  latioii.s,  tliat  tlitwi;  iiiii^lily 
)( On  ;ri,ii,|,|,.sti(i;Onsp('|uein'c.s  ^lioidd   necessarily  resiill  (Voiii    its 
of  the  adjoin ihdfpfioii'  Why, sir, in  lh;24,weenlertdiiitontrealy 
ted  at  the  in  aty 'f  lj"H'i<l'"'y  ^^'t''  Unf^niit.  I'y  \yl'''"l' ^\'''  defined  tlie 
IIS,   the  one  jnoimi'M  "t'tlie  respective  jiossessiorisof  the  twoeuuii- 
I'lit,  t!i(<  niosi  (M  1^*^  tipon  the  northvveHf,  roast.    By  the  fourth  ar- 
ms, waa  (he  sla'»«i«-'  "^'  '•'''»'•  li'"aty,  tlie    rii;ht  to   fish  luid   Iraih; 
noiahle  <,'eiitle)Hi,»F'"  '''''  "I''''"''""  was,  cjnlfs,  harljors,  and  ereeks 
VMS,]   a7id   wliii'poii   'htif  roast,  was  rti;i]ini('ally  reserved  to  the 
er  the  mistiiee.s  /msl'Is,  eitizens,  and  suljeets  of  tlie  two  Powers, 
erinination.    An  o'  ''"^  neriod  of  ten  years  from  the  date  of  tlie 
II  of  the  hoiindar-'efily.    In  lS-25,  Great  IJritain  and  lliissiu  formed 


r'nit<'(!  Statesj  ei  leiinilar  treaty,  defining  ami  seitlhii.';  their  honiid- 
•iiii;  those  ne^oti  W'^''^  upon  the  same  const,  in  whieh  a  similar  ar- 
■'/  I'lmr,  uncoven->*ic  '^^''^^  inserted.    Well,  sir,  what  was  the  nisult? 

•  northwest  coaitAit  the  expiration  of  the  ten  years  Ilussin  notified 

•  yaires,  and   uin.'''*'  Governments  ol"  the  United  States  and  Great 
ehiels  south  .Britain  tliat  the  treaty  stipulation  hud  exiiired.and 

Ami  rir;y«ry  cavalierly  ordered  the  vessels  of  hotli  Pow- 


an 
to 


the 


ahsi'.rd  anil  whollCTSfdl"  her  coast.     Neitiier  our  own  nor  the  Crit 
irterwanls,  in  tl''^  Government  undertook  to  complain,  nor  pre- 
uliandoiied     ar:'*'^*!''''  '"  ''^"l^  upon  tliis  summary  proeecdin;^  of 
I  tli(!  jinn-isions  i^''    Uussian   Government  as  even    uncourteous, 
[JO  often  alludeil  imwch  less  to  found  upon  it  trrave  cause  of  oll'ence  ! 
iiiember  from  AL     ■f''"'  ^'''>  ''  ^''•-'"is,  when  Great  Uritain  is  our  an- 
ire  find  no  found: **6""''^''  ""  ^''f'  ordinary  rules  whitdi  have  liereto- 
arter  of  the  nei:i  ^^^^  e:overned  our  international  intercourse  with 
?r,  sir,  sufKeietuI  ^"■'''Sn  Governments,  lose  their  application.     We 
erican  nei^mtiatoi- 'J*"'  't^'  f"^''"  move  in  the  pe;u!eful  prosecution  of 
lie  articlerin  (lue.-OUr  admitted  riiihts — by  a  mode  too,  sir,  j^niaran- 
in  re];ition  to  tL  *5*'l  I"  ">''  ''7  solemn  treaty  stijndalions;  but  we 
informed  of  tl.  ^^  ^"  '"'  frii^htened  from  our  jiropriety  with  ru- 
its  they  were  c:  niors  of  horrid  war!     Sir,  arc  we  jirepared  to  re- 
were  perillin",    pl'diate  that  sjolden  rule  of  the  Republic — the  only 
tunatearticle.'si    ""''  ' '  ""  ' ' 


IS  of  that  C()nvi:i. 
ill   the  diffieiiltii 
',  have  beset  tl; 
iw,in  the  o]iini'i 
•  the  peace  of  tl. 
^  of  lo^-ic  the  pa.- 
ill  at  once  reliev 
1  bo  made  to  ;\> 
,  to  amount  to 
It  a  loss  to  coi, 
t  peri(.d  wiiich  : 
Iter  arrive,  win, 
I  no  lon^'-er  jirov 
erests  of  the  par 
de  to  provide  tl: 
How  then,  sir 
lowledtred  rii;lii 
rcaty  stipulalic 
se  to  abrogate- 
and  for  tlie  v(  r. 
w,  sir,  ran  sii  •: 
nticij)atcd  cve.i: 


safe  truide  in  the  mana<;ementof  our nlations  with 
fbreij;n  Powers — "  To  do  nothiiii;  lint  what  is  right, 
t6  suH'er  nothini;  that  is  wron<^  r"  Wli:it  man,  .sir, 
has  forijotten  that  voice  which,  rini^nn;;!;  triunpet- 
tened,  thrilled  every  licart  throuu:liout  the  land, 
atiiiouncin2:  that  I-Vance  liad  failed  to  com]>ly  with 
Ker  treaty  stipulation,  and  refused  to  satisfy  the 
j«Kt  demands  of  the  nation  .'    Sir,  d. '  we  hesitate 

S  falter  then  in  the  assertion  of  the  nation 's  rights  ? 
0,  sir.  We  voted  ten  millions  to  sustain  the  Ex- 
ecutive declaration,  and  that,  too,  a!_'ainsl  a  Power 
aecond  to  none  in  Europe.  The  iron-hearted  old 
man  who  then  ijuided  the  hdm  of  this  l{e])ublic, 
never  stopped  to  infjuirc  into  expediency — to  sjicc- 
ulatc  upon  consequences — to  tremble  at  imaijinary 
dampers.  With  him,  sir,  to  be  resolved  of  the  n^-/j« 
of  n  question,  was  to  lie  vesolved  of  its  exjiediencv. 
But  no  war  followed.  Well,  sir,  iS'aples  failed  to 
Kquidate  the  indemnities  she  liad  as^n  ed  to  pay. 
How  did  we  netjouatc  with  her.-  We  sent  an 
American  tiigr.t I,  imi.  iter  bay,  and  we  talked  to 
her  from  itsirun-de'^k.  But  no  war  followed.  Sir, 
irhat  tone  did   we  assuaie  towards   Spain — Old 


Spain,  iraiid  even  iii  her  decay,  luncnificrnt  even 
in  her  ruins.-  I)id  vse  <'roiich  :uid  tremble  then - 
Sir,  we  lesoUed  to  take  milii.iry  pMs.-.issii>n  of  t!ii 
Kloridiis;  we  voted  millions  of  "the  public,  mom  ys; 
we  placed  the  military  and  naval  power  of  the 
country  at  the  dispo.sal  of  the  Executive,  to  fidlow 
up  and  susiain  the  nation's  rii^hts.  But  no  war 
followed.  Surely,  sir,  I  need  not  pause  to  remind 
the  House  of  onr  (losiiion  in  tiie  .Mexican  ditlicul- 
ties.  Jso  black  spectre  of  war  could  then  allri^dit 
lis,  or  for  a  moment  deter  or  ini|)ede  our  action  in 
what  we  deemed  the  k%'iliiiKile  prnseciitidii  of  our 
soveri'i^n  rii^his.  Sir,  we  lau;;lied  to  scorn  the  very 
idea  of  a  Alexican  war.  But,  sir,  the  question  is 
not  now  with  Mexico;  we  are  called  upon  to  act 
with  reference  to  that  same  Power,  which,  from 
the  commencement  of  our  national  career,  has 
jiroved  herself  (jur  most  inveter.Ue  foe!  Ah,  sir, 
how  ( liaiii,'!  d  our  atiiiude  !  How  fidleii  our  spirit ! 
We  are  admonished  to  pause,  to  count  the  conse- 
quences, to  look  ahe.ul,  before  we  dare  assert  the 
iit;htsofour])eople — admitted,  I'onventional  ri:i;hts. 
We  are  reminded  of  the  vast  jiower  of  Eie,dand. 
and  admonished  of  the  dani^er  we  incur.  Pu'iins 
are  sum;  to  British  pniwissand  British  nlory.  Her 
immense  stren^tli,  her  numenuis  lleets  and  armies, 
are  liaraded  before  the  House  and  the  country,  ex- 
a^'uerated,  painted  in  the  mo.st  terrilde  color.:); 
whilst  our  own  weakness,  our  want  of  preparatio;i, 
our  unarmed  and  defenceless  state,  i.s  dwelt  upon 
and  enforced  with  all  the  elo([uence  nfpatriuticfiur! 
Sir,  the  lioiiorable  member  fnmi  Alabama  [Mr. 
Yakckv]  exhausted  himself  in  this  crusade  of  the 
alariiii.sts.  The  honorable  gentleman's  iniagin;i- 
tion,  confessedly  brilliant,  seemed  U)  task  itself  in 
predictions  of  inevitable  defeat  to  the  Americaii 
arms,  in  a  cause  admitted  to  be  just.  1  know 
not  if  that  honorable  member  has  upon  this  occa- 
sion niiule  his  first  essay  in  the  art  of  vaticination: 
but,  sir,  I  must  be  permitted  to  3uy  it  was,  at  least, 
an  ill  exercise  of  his  iiroidietic  power.-s,  to  employ 
them  in  auguries  of  defeat  and  dishonor  to  the 
cause  of  his  native  Imid.  But,  sir,  like  most  pro- 
jiliets,  the  honorable  gentleman  had  no  faith  in  his 
own  predictions;  for,  before  he  dosed  his  speech, 
.so  alarming  in  its  commencement,  the  honorable 
member  had  forgotten  his  evil  auguries,  and  d(- 
lighted  the  House  with  the  pi  ctic  glories  hereafter 
to  crown  American  jirowess,  in  a  contest  to  ensue 
from  the  juosecution  of  the  very  measures  of  which 
he  avowed  liims{:lf  an  advocate. 

I  do  not  intend,  sir,  to  be  understood  tis  im- 
peaching the  jtatriotism  of  the  South.  I  deny — 
although  the  speeches  of  some  of  her  Ile])rescnt- 
atives  would  seem  to  indicate  it — that  there  is  any 
dilFereiice  of  o)>inioii  or  of  feeling  between  the 
South  and  the  West,  (u*  the  North,  on  this  great 
American  question.  Sir,  1  believe  that  in  the 
whole  South — nay,  even  in  South  Camlina  her- 
self— the  masses  of  the  people  arc  with  us  and  with 
the  country  on  tliis  Oregon  question.  Politicians, 
sir,  may  doubt;  but  when  the  integrity  of  the 
national  soil  is  the  jioint  at  issue,  tiiere  can  be  no 
diiierence  of  opinion  with  the  people.  1  distinguish 
between  great  southern  poUlir'nins  and  the  South. 
The  jx'oiile  are  always  right  u|,'On  great  American 
questions. 

But,  JMr.  Chuirnuui,  1  admire  the  consistency 


8 


(if  thrs(>  honornJiIf  cmtlrmrn,  \vhr>  insist  th,\t  tlif" 
[insHMirc  (iflhiH  ri'HdlidioM  is  ;i  wiir  iik  Msnrc.  neces- 
sarily Irndinfi;  to  involve  tlio  two  cDimtrii  s  in  loi- 
liHion;  ami  yet,  stranLrc  as  if  may  aiipcar,  aviw 
ilicinsclvcH  llu;  atlvdiatcs  of  the  nniy  ini:isin<s 
vvliicli  can,  liy  [Kissiliiliiy,  nsnlt  in  n  dilliciilty, 
the  very  incasurcs  in  wliicli  the  lionoralilf  jrcntN;- 
iiian  from  Vir'j;inia  |\Ir.  Mwi.v]  tells  you  will 
lionc  consist  tlic  oflini-c  to  (Jicat  Uriiain,  from 
'Im  cotiHummation  of  wliidi,  war  liclvvccn  tlic  two 
countries  n^niNt  inevitnlily  ensue.  The  honoralilc 
'j;entlonuiii  from  Alahama,  |Mr.  Vavcky,]  and,  I 
helieve,  every  honoralile  memlier  who  has  sjioken 
noon  that  side  of  the  f|nf.'stion,  announced  to  the 
f  l(Mise  tiieir  readiness  to  voti'  for  propositions  to 
hiiild  forts  and  IdocKhonscN;  to  extend  your  laws 
and  erect  a  Territorial  Cfovirnnienl  over  the  irlinlr 
of  ()rec;(in;  to  send  the  military  power  of  the  Gov- 
ernment to  take  possession,  ny,  sir,  errliisivr  |ios- 
scHsion,  of  the  ii'lnilr  lcrrit(ny.  All  this,  s'  ,  by 
these  anti-war  irentlemen — these  peace  ijonti  niMi. 
They  denounce  the  ]iassa'j;e.  of  the  vesolntion  as 
war  itself,  immediate  war;  and  in  the  next  lirei,:h 
profess  ihetnselvcH  willina:  ""d  anxious  to  take 
'he  cxrhtiirr,  militiinj  possession  of  the  whole 
cDuntry;  a  measure  which  woidd  inevitahly  re- 
^^iilt  in  war,  afcordiuLTto  the  arirnmcnt  of  the  hon- 
orahle  memher  from  Viri!:inia,  f.VIr.  Bwi.v,]  and 
tor  which  lie  dc<'lared  he  would  vote  himself,  if 
ilie  notice  should  he  ijiven.  Sir,  are  these  honor- 
able ixentlemen  sincere  in  tiiis  course?  Do  they 
really  seek  to  secure  the  objects  which  they  profess 
to  (h'sire?  Do  they  not  know,  or  hn\e  tliev  over- 
looked the  fact,  that  every  Oreiron  bill  which  has 
ever  yet  been  introdui'ed — bills  proposini:  the  very 
measures  whicJi  they  now  avow  their  readiness  to 
support — have  lieen  rrsisted  and  defeated?  Trow, 
sir?  Jlecause  it,  was  said  that  they  were  in  viola- 
tion of  the  stipulations  of  this  coiivention.  And 
these  <rentlenien,  who  now  tell  us  that  tliey  ,vil! 
vote  against  this  resolution,  l)ut  will  go  fcir  the 
other  mea^'ures,  tell  us — what,  sir?  They  tell  us 
to  stand  still — to  do  nothinu;  on  this  ((uestion. 
•Sir,  I  hold  in  my  band  the  record  of  the  debates 
of  1829  upon  the  Oregon  bill  then  pending;  in  this 
House,  and  propnsinu;.  in  effect,  the  same  meas- 
ures for  which  these  grenflenien  are  now  ready  to 
vote.  In  this  record  appears  tlie  speech  of  Mr. 
Polk,  then  a  member  from  tiie  State  of  Tennessee, 
and  his  vote  upon  tliat  l)ill ;  in  which  he  took  the 
.'round  tiiat  no  sucli  measures  could  be  adopted 
by  this  Government  while  llie  treaty  remained  in 
ibrc.e;  tliat  the  stipulations  of  that  treaty  were 
binding'  upon  us;  and  that  we  coidd  take  iio  step 
looking  towards  the  exclusive  possession  of  the 
Oregon,  until  the  treaty  was  terminated  by  notice, 
in  conformity  with  its  jirovisions.  Gentlemen, 
then,  who  are  willing  to  vote  for  such  mear  ires, 
yet  refuse  to  give  tlie  notice  which  the  President 
recommends  as  a  condition  precedent  to  all  of 
tliem,  tell  us,  in  effect,  that  we  arc  to  remain  on 
this  question  just  where  we  have  been  for  the  last 
thirty  years — standing  still,  and  taking  no  step 
whatever.  If  the  President  entertains  now  the 
opinions  wliieh  he  entertained  in  1829,  and  we 
refuse  to  give  this  notice,  while,  at  the  same  time, 
we  pass  bills  organizing  a  Territorial  Government 
over  Oregon,  for  building  forts,  and  sending  our 
)iiilitary  power  into  the  country,  preparatory  to  its 


rxchmivd    poMORsion,  tlie  President   is  bound   tr 

veto   them,  or  lu'   nnist  abandon   every  |insitioi 

which  he  has  herelof(U'e,  occupic(|  on  ihis  (pieslion 

Sir,  I  do  not  ii.vself  believe  .such  to  be  the  trn< 

construction  of  ihe  convention  of  1H|H.     1  loot, 

upon   that  treaty  not  as  one  of  iirquisilinn,  but  m 

I  covrssinn.    We  gained  no  Hirhts  and  we  lost  nom 

j  by    that    treaty.     We    yielded    not   (uie    paniilc, 

nay,  we  expressly  irfusrd  to  yield  one   particle,  d 

i  the  right  i>f  sorrnii^ii'tij.    We  irranted  Great  I'rilaii 

the  iiisiiiiint  of  Iradinir  over,  ot'usintr  our  territory 

ill  I' nion  with  ourselves.     Wv  had  the  right  i)r' 

for«!  the  li'eaty  to  build  forts,  to  take  measures  li 
secure  the  posHcssion  of  our  own  territory,  and  wi 
I  have  that  right  still;  subject  only  to  the  right  ni 
trade,  to  the  riiilit  of  naviiration,  to  tin;  coininerciii 
■  privile^res  which  we  have  by  the  treaty  granted  ii 
I  Great  Mriiain  in  comnKni  wiih  our  own  citizinis 
I  and  which  she  betVnv  enjoyed  by  our  silent  aciiui- 
t  esceui'c.  'J'he  most  stringent,  the  most  luifavor 
I  able  c.i'istru.ii  ni  of  the  treaty  wiaild  merely  limi! 
our  right  of  seltli'inent  to  those  |MPitioMs  of  the  ter 
I  ritory  not  nlrrailij  (irtuiilty  nccuiiied.  This,  sir,  I 
conceive  to  be  the  true  constniction  of  the  conven- 
tion of  if<\H.  It  was  its  admitted  consiriictioii  dii 
ling  the  nci^^otiations  of  1H2(!.  Mr.  Gallatin  states 
in  one  of  iiis  despatclw'S  to  this  Government  of  tha; 
year,  that  the  IJritish  Mini.ster  did  not  deny  tin 
light  of  the  American  G<ivernnient  to  build  forts, 
to  extend  her  laws  over  the  country,  and  to  di 
every  act  of  ownership  short  of  taking  the  exclu- 
,i('iT  mililarji  possessicni  of  the  nuauh  of  the  Co- 
lumbia river.  Her  ov.'ii  acts  since  the  date  of  tin 
coiiv(uition  cut  Iter  from  disputin:;  the  sound- 
ness of  ihis  position.  Sir,  in  my  judgment,  witli 
or  without  the  notice,  we  have  the  undoubted  righ: 
to  take  all  the  measures  reconimciuh.'d  by  the  Pres- 
ident; wo  havt:  tiie  right  to  give  the  noti<'e,  be- 
cause we  have  liar<j;(iincil  for  it;  we  have  the  riglii 
to  extend  our  laws  and  the  jurisdiction  of  our 
cdurts  over  the  country,  to  build  forts,  and  scni! 
our  rroops  to  occupy  ther<i,  for  the  protection  and 
defence  of  our  people,  not  only  because  the  treaty 
does  not  contravene  that  right,  but  because  our  ad- 
versary has  already  done  the  same  thing,  and  thereliy 
concluded  herself  from  objecting  to  our  followin!; 
the  example  she  has  herself  given  us.  Does  any 
man  pretend  to  say  that  the  passage  of  this  reso- 
lution would  gi\c  just  caii>e  of  ofl'ence?  Does  any 
man  jiretend  to  intimate  that  if  this  notice  should 
be  given  from  the  other  side,  we  should  have  any 
right  to  complain?  No,  sir.  Gentlemen  admit  tha: 
the  measure  is  right  in  itself;  that  we  are  liable  in 
no  just  cnniiili'.int  if  we  should  do  the  very  thiii); 
Great  Britain  has  agreed  we  might  do,  and  whicli 
she  can  at  any  time  do  herself,  without  the  slight- 
est offence  to  us.  And  yet,  sir,  notwithstandin;; 
all  this,  we  are  called  upon  to  abandon  the  nationai 
rights  and  leave  our  people  unprotected,  lest  Grea; 
Britain  should  make  a  confessedly  unjust  aii(i 
causeless  and  outrageous  war  upon  us! 

When,  and  where,  and  in  what,  is  tliis  tempor- 
izing and  cowardly  policy  to  end?  Sir,  I  look 
upon  the  passage  of  this  resolution  not  oidy  n.^ 
having  no  tendency  whatever  to  embroil  the  twi' 
countries,  or  disturb  the  peace  of  the  world,  bu! 
as  the  measure  most  eminently  calculated  to  briii! 
this  Oregon  dispute  to  a  final  and  a  successfiii 
termination.     How   much   longer  do   gentlemen 


propofc  WI 
■oni'   of   ii 
years  has 
judgineiitH  ■■ 
lliat  so  loll:: 
ncgotiaiioii 
be  ^'tltled. 
ilig   parlio 
UrniiiDUe 

k<'e|)  the  ( 
Veiitioll  fa! 
sidiously  ol 

wlldlf   of  Ol 

the   operali- 
she   has  di 
lized  the  wl 
jX)ssession 
upon  pap(  1 
up  and  mat 
very   privili 
you    have 
Oliinion  of 
cliusetts,  |.'^ 
d\ic<>d    ilsel 
what  ho|ie 
sotiatiiui  w 
It  weakens 
the  continu 
more  of  til 
irresistibly 
our  very  of] 
nruints  of  ti 
exclusive  d 
tic  an  unoi 
demanding 
comiirdmisv. 
interests  an 
^rown  u|)  1 
re<'civc  the 

Sir,  if  we 
minatioii,  w 
or  light  abi 
arrive?  W 
eminent  ov- 
are  violatin: 
treaty !  AV 
treaty  by  a' 
and  we  are 
war !  Gen 
unprepared 
propitious  t 
When  shall 
not  to  the  s 

Sir,  arinii 
Republic ! 
this  republi 
of  the  lieart 
at  stake,  wl 
soil  is  in  (^ii 
prepared, 
other  prepa 

But,  Mr. 
which  has 
four  weeks 
driven  fron 
mere  titnal 

!'tci\l  is.«!uc 
ate  of  this 


iH  i.s  hound  u 
every  |insiti(ii 
n  iliis  (|iieMti(iri 
'I  to  lie  ihe  lni< 
1H|H.  1  Iddl, 
qilisitina,  liut  (i| 
(I  \vn  lost  notii 
(ilie  |iiiniel(', 
niiP  |)nrtiele,  el 
(I  Greiil  I'rilfiii 
iiir  oi/r  territory 
ml  the  rii^'lil  Uv 
ike  iiieaNiiri'S  ti 
rritory,  niid  wi 
to  tlie  rii^lit  (II 
llie  commereiii 
eaty  j^ianted  ii 
r  own  citizmi.-i 
iiir  silent  a('(iiii- 
luiist  ndf'ivor 
lid  merely  liinii 
lionsJ  of  the  ter 
l.  This,  sir,  I 
1  of  the  convcu- 
iiii.siriietioii  dii 
Gidiatiii  stales, 
enunent  rtftlia; 
d  iiiit  deny  tin 
:  to  Imild  turtfi, 
I  try,  and  to  di 
kiiiij;  the  exclu- 
mil  of  the  Co- 
the  date  of  tlu 
hvz  the  sound- 
jndi^rnicnt,  will; 
iiidouhted  rii:;li: 
(.'d  hy  the  Pres- 
the  notiee,  Ik;- 
5  luive  the  rii;lii 
sdie.tion  of  our 
forts,  and  semi 
I  jirotection  and 
!au.se  the  treaty 
heeau.se  ourad- 
infj,and  therehy 
)  our  folh)wiii!.' 
us.  Does  any 
;e  of  this  reso- 
nce?  Does  any 
i  notice  should 
hould  have  any 
men  admit  tha; 
we  arc  liable  tn 
I  the  very  thinf 
do,  and  which 
hout  the  slij^ht- 
lotwithstandini- 
ion  the  nationni 
'cted,  lest  Grea: 
lly  unjust  and 
1  us! 

is  this  tempor- 
L'  Sir,  I  look 
m  not  only  ns 
ivibroil  tlie  twc 
the  world,  bu; 
ndated  to  briii; 
d  a  suceessfu; 


propose  wo  shall  uit  still,  lioteninij  to  the  sirni 
«<iii:'  iif  ne^joii'ilion,  which  fur  the  lust  thirty 
years  lias  been  hillinir  our  senses  iind  lijindin::  our 


judgments ; 


berat('  convieinin, 


do 


gentlemen 


?  Sir,  it  is  my  deli 
Uiat  so  Ion;;;  a.s  this  convt  iilion  remains  in  force, 
lH'<;otiaiiiin  will  n^rrr  end,  luid  this  (jiustion  never 
be  nettled.  Upon  llic  part  of  uni'  of  the  eoiilract- 
iti;;  iiarlies,  there  is  not  only  no  inducement  to 
Urminaie  it,  but  it  is  her  manifest  intirest  to 
keep  the  iiuestion  forever  op(ii.  Under  n  con- 
veiitioii  falsely  called  joint,  (ii'cut  Iiritaii  has  in- 
sidiously obtainul  till'  ficliisire  possi  sion  of  the 
ic/((i/c  of  ()re;;on.  Underajoi/U  rii;ht  oftraih'.by 
llie  operations  of  an  immense  royal  corporation, 
she  liiis  driven  you  from  the  fielu,  and  monopu- 
lized  the  whole  commerce  of  the  country.  Your 
|K)ssession  mnninal — your  ri:;hls  but  existiiii;; 
upon  paper — the  title,  of  your  adversary  y;rowii);; 
up  and  iiiaiurini;  by  your  very  admissions,  by  the 
very  privileii,e.-.  which,  with  unpardonable  folly, 
you  have  ;;ranted  lier,  so  that,  already,  in  the 
0}>inion  of  tiie  honorable  member  from  Massa- 
ciiusells,  [Mr.  WiMiiKiii',]  the  (|ucslion  has  re- 
diiecd  itself  to  OIK!  of  mere  line  of  hinindarti — 
what  hopf:  is  there  that  siic  will  ever  end  a  ne- 
gotiation which  but  strenu;thens  her  claim  while 
It  weakens  ours  I  She  asks  nothing  bctf  r  tiian 
the  comimianee  of  this  convention.  In  it  u  years 
more  of  this  pnti'mled  joint  ocruiKincy,  she  will 
irresistibly  plant  you  south  of  the  Columbia!  Sir, 
our  very  oilers  of  comiiromise  have  b(!come  numi- 
meiits  of  title  !  She  commenced  by  claiming  no 
exclusive  dominion:  a  mere  right  to  trade  and  set- 
tic  an  unoccupied  territory; — she  has  ended  by 
demanding  near  two-thirds  the  whole  by  way  of 
coinjinnnisr  ! — declaring  that  the  valualile  I'ritish 
int(!rests  anil  British  ef^fab'i.  'inients,  which  have 
grown  up  by  our  ^jt'r»ii.v.si»/i,  demand  and  shall 
receive  the  protection  of  the  British  Government! 

Sir,  if  we  bring  not  this  dispiite  to  a  speedy  ter- 
mination, we  shall  have  nothing  left  to  negotiate 
or  light  aliout.  When  will  the  time  for  action 
arrive?  We  attempt  to  organize  a  territorial  gov- 
eriunent  over  tlie  Oregon,  and  we  are  told  that  we 
eire  violating  the  national  faith,  pledged  in  solemn 
treaty  !  Well,  sir,  we  attempt  to  terminate  that 
treaty  by  availing  ourselves  of  its  own  provisions, 
and  we  are  told  that  our  notiee  is  a  declaration  of 
Twur !  Gentlemen  say  that  we  arc  weak !  we  are  j  1 
unprepared  to  assert  our  ri<:hts !  Wait  a  innro 
propitious  time!  Sir,  when  shall  we  be  str'^r.ger? 
When  shall  we  be  better  prejiared  ?  The  "  battle  is 
not  to  the  strong  alone,  nor  the  race  to  the  swift!" 

Sir,  armies  and  flect.s  are  not  the  pniparalion  of  a 
Republic  !  I  want  no  other  preparation  for  war  in 
this  republican  Government  than  the  preparation 
of  the /iprtrt  .'  When  great  national  interests  are 
at  stake,  when  the  national  honor  and  the  national 
soil  is  in  ([iiestion,  the  American  people  are  itlivays 
prepared.  A  free  Government  can  safely  liave  no 
other  lu-eparation. 

But,  Air.  Chairman,  I  look  upon  this  war  cry 
which  has  been  ringing  in  our  ears  for  the  last 
four  weeks  as  pure  humbug.  We  are  not  to  1," 
driven  from  the  niaiutenauce  of  our  rights  by  the 
mere  tlircat  of  wiu-.  I  do  not  believe  that  the 
ereut  is.«;ues  of  peace  and  of  war  hang  upon  the 
mte  of  this  resolution.    Sir,  at  length  we  fire  free 


from  the  phnrkles  of  nrgofiation:  and  the  Amrricnn 
(Jovenuiieiif  has  nnnounccd  that  the  time  hud  at 
last  arrived  when  our  rit;hts  must  be  niiiiiiaiiifd 
or  iilianihiued.  That  issue  had  been  presented  to 
the  Ann  riean  people;  it  had  triivi  lied  across  ihc 
Atlantic,  and  sprtad  itself  before  the  British  juih- 
lie.  The  first  returning  echo,  sir,  has  reailied  us 
I  aeroKs  Ihe  great  dei  ji.  I  hold  in  my  1. md  an  ex- 
tract from  the  fiiiardinn,  a  euinmereial  paper  of 
lii'.;h  sta'.idiuir,  published  m  England,  from  \\hich 
I  read  tiie  following  |iasHages: 

"Tlie  ri'comniendalion  to  extend  .Vnurican  ju- 

'  ristticiion  over  Amerienn  citizens  in  Oregon,  is 

'  one  to  whii  h  no  reasonable  <ii>jei  lion  can  be  made 

'by  the  British  Government." 

1      And  again,  sir:    "  With  respect  to  the  noticr-  for 

'  terminatini,''  the  joint  occupancy  of  Ore2:on,  we  arc 

'  not  sure  that  President   Polk   may  not   receive  it 

j  '  from  the  F'liiL'lish  Ciovernment  bi  fore  he  can  pos- 

1  '  sibly  be  in  a  conilition  to  <;ive  it  himself.     But 

I  '  whether  give  ii  liy  the  one  side  or  the  other,  we  do 

I  '  not  conceive  that  it  will  add  materially,  if  at  all, 

I  '  to  the  chani'e  of  ii  hostile  collision.     !t  has  been 

'obvious  enough  for   some  time  past,  that  unless 

I  '  the  rpiestinn  can   Uv  amicably  setllid   in  a  very 

'  short  period,  say  in  twelve  months  at  the  latest, 

j  '  hardly  anything  can  prevent  war;  and,  therefore, 

'  *a  decisive'  step  like  that  of  giving  notice  for  jiut- 

'  '  ting  an  end  to  the  subsistiiiir  atrreenient,  is  rather 

.  '  favorable  than  otlu'rwise.     When  both  Goverii- 

'  incuts  know  that  the  ai    rimtive  is  an  arrange- 

'  ment  in  a  year,  or  war,  il\.     will  see  that  tliere  is 

;  '  no  time  to  be  lost  in  nselt  ss  discussion,  and  will 

'  iirobably  hit  upon  some  coniproniise  to  which 

I  I  both  can  accede." 

I      And  how  had  tins  peaceful  '"it'iiiation  been  fol- 
lowed  up?     Why,  sir.  we  tir.  I  ihat   the  bitterest 
anti-American  paper  publisli^  d  beyond  tlie  ocean, 
the  London  Times,  the  ;icknowIe(li;c(l  oriran  of  the 
British  Secretary  for  Fo;-cign  AITaiis,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  the  most  virulent  libeller  of  Anuu-ican 
character,  openly,  and   at  once  recommends   the 
British  Government,  regardless  of  all  obstacles  of 
;  mere  ( tiquette,  to  accept  the  projiositlon  made  by 
Mr.  Gallatin  in   182(>,  and  then  rejected  liy  that 
'  Government;  n  recommendation  to  accept,  or  rath- 
er to  ju'opose  to  us,  our  most  favorable  ofier — the 
4t)th  parallel,  with  the  free  navigation  of  the  Co- 
I  lumbia  river,  Vancouver's  Island,  and  the  harbor 
of  St.  Juan  de  Fuca,  as  a  prrHminavti  oiler  with 
which  to  renew  the  negotiations  !     This,  sir,  is  the 
first  result  of  the  firm,  determined,  and  dignified 
'  position  of  our  Government  on  this  question.    Docs 
I  this  look  like  a  disposition  to  consider  the  passage 
'  of  this  resolution  as  a  declaration  of  war  ?    Surely, 
i  sir,  the  mild  and  peaceable  complexion  of  theBrit- 
'  ish  press  ouL'ht  to  afibid  a  grateful  relief  to  the 
'  terrorists  of  this  House ! 

But,  sir,  these  honorable  gentlemen,  resolved 
to  see  nothing  in  this  measure  but  war,  still  most 
I  eloquently  appeal  to  our  fears,  to  our  interests, 
'  to  our  Christian  feelings !  Let  them  for  a  mo- 
;  ment  look  to  the  other  side  of  the  picture:  Are 
!  there  no  inducements  bearing  upon  our  adversa- 
ry— strong',  omnipotent,  though  she  may  be — 
i  which  speak  loudly  for  jieaec?  Has  she  no  intcr- 
[  ests  at  stake  ;  no  fears  to  deter  her  from  plunging 
''  needlessly  and  recklessly  into  a  war,  the  result 


10 


of  which  no  human  foresight  can  foretell  ?  Sir, 
is  Grcnt  Britain  prepared  for  war  ?  The  very  ele- 
ments which  i;entleinen  dwell  upon  as  sustaining 
the  fabric  of  1ier  colossal  power,  I  look  upon  ns 
the  elements  of  her  weakness  !  Her  hundred  colo- 
nies— her  strong  points,  broadcast  upon  every  sea 
and  upon  every  land — arc  but  points  of  attack  to 
be  defended,  to  be  protected.  The  combined  ar- 
mies and  navies  of  the  world  would  scarce  guard 
her  mighty  and  extended  empire.  This  vast  array 
of  power,  which  seemed  so  to  terrify  the  imagina- 
tion of  the  honorable  member  from  Virginia,  [Mr. 
Hunter,]  is  but  the  array  of  he.-  -.veaknessl  Sir, 
is  England  prepared  for  war.'  Her  whole  social 
system  lieaving  with  the  throes  of  approaching 
moral  revolution;  the  sister  kingdom  upon  the  eve 
of  violent  outbreak,  and  waiting  but  the  signal, 
the  pretext  of  rebellion;  overwhelmed  with  an  un- 
paid and  unpayable  debt;  pushed  to  the  utmost 
verge  of  taxation;  her  starving  population  strug- 
gling for  existence;  dependent  for  the  very  means 
to  put  in  motion  her  fleets  and  give  vitality  to  her 
armies:  who  can  tell  the  fate  "of  England,  forced 
into  a  war  in  her  present  condition?  Sir,  I  know 
that  we  must  suffer,  and  suffer  greatly,  in  such  a 
contest.  But  it  would  be  the  check  of  a  day.  The 
resistless  energies  of  this  young  nation  would  speed- 
ily recover  from  the  shock.  But  who,  sir,  shall  say 
that  with  England  it  would  not  be  the  struggle  of 
national  existence?  She  will  hesitate  long — will 
yield  much — rather  than  hazard  the  issues  of  war. 
Sir,  I  tell  the  honorable  member  from  South  Caroli- 
na [Mr.  Rhett]  that  his  own  State,  and  her  sisters 
of  the  southern  portion  of  this  confederacy,  hold  in 
their  own  hands  the  great  moral  lever  which  controls . 
more  than  all  other  cjiusus,  the  peace  of  the  world  r 
The  British  workshop,  sir,  mans  the  British  fleet, 
and  gives  life  to  the  British  army.  There  lies  the 
great  source,  the  citadel  of  her  power.  Cut  off 
one  week's  supply  of  American  cotton,  and  you 
shake  the  very  foundations  of  the  British  empire ! 
No,  sir,  I  fear  no  war  with  England  on  this  Ore- 
gon cjucstion.  I  know  the  attempt  to  compare  the 
strength  of  the  two  countries  and  speculate  ujion 
the  results  of  such  a  contest  is  idle.  I  seek  neither 
to  exaggerate  nor  detract  from  the  power  of  Great 
Britain.  I  neither  fear  her  prowess  nor  doubt  our 
own. 

But,  sir,  while  all  agree  that  our  title  is  in- 
disputable; that  our  rights  are  clear  and  must  be 
maintained;  yet  it  is  insisted  that  our  measures 
arc  not  calculated  to  secure  the  ends  all  have  in 
view;  that  wc  risk  our  own  olijects  by  rash  and 
imprudent  counsels.  And  what  is  tlie  alternative 
honorable  gentlemen  propose,  by  which,  in  their 
judgments,  we  may  easily  and  with  certainty  ob- 
tain our  object?  Wait — sit  still — do  nothing.'  The 
silent  imperceptible  oncration  of  emigration  will 
inevitably  secure  us  tne  whole  of  Oregon  without 
an  effort!  Wc  have  but  to  withhold  all  Ic-^isla- 
tion,  all  action;  and  the  irresistible  course  of  things 
will  drive  the  British  hunter  and  trapper  before  the 
overwhelming  wave  of  American  settlement.  Sir, 
while  sustaining  this  position,  the  honorable  mem- 
ber from  Alabama  [Mr.  Yancey]  seemed  to  hixn- 
riate  in  the  prosjiect  of  obtaining  the  whole  of 
Oregon  without  a  fight,  by  (he  pleasant  and  agree- 
able mode  alluded  to  by  the  honorable  chuirmiui 


of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Affairs,  [Mr.  Imger-,  ^jj^  ^  ^ 
SOI.L.]  This  is  certainly  the  most  extraordinary,.'  . 
position  which  has  been  assumed  in  this  debate ,  .•,'  ■ 
What,  sir !  that  Great  Britain  will  quietly  sit  still,,  ^/j.^^'j^/ 
with  folded  arms,  and  permit  us  gradually  and  im  a'  ^1,^, 
perceptibly  to  steal  from  her  that  very  territory  tn  -^  ^^^^  ^^^ 
obtain  which  she  has  for  more  than  forty  years,i.p  ^^^^^  jjj 
exhausted  every  effort  of  the  most  consummate  di-^jp  \nieri( 
plomacy — every  art  of  force,  of  fraud,  and  of  per-*^r j^g^  jj^p 
suasion  !  Sir,  the  scheme  is  stamped  with  fatuityo^yp^-i  ^^.^■^ 
on  it.s  very  face.  their  anx'ii 

This  curious  position,  upon  which  honorable  jjj^,  j||^j.j^|j  | 
gentlemen  dwell  with  so  much  self  grutulation  j^ '  ^.j^.^^ 
would  seem  to  hfivc  its  origin  in  the  argument  ":jyo[,^  Soui 
an  honorable  and  distinguislied  Senator  from  thtj^  ^^  ^' 
State  of  Massachusetts,  [Mr.  Choate,]  who,  irtUiio'  the  a 
the  other  end  of  this  Capitol,  upon  a  former  occa  fj^eirent 
sion,  so  eloquently  contended  that  Great  Britairj^,p^  ^j^ j 
did  not  desire  Oregon  for  any  other  purpose  thaijj-pjj.g  ,,f 
as  a  mere  himting  ground;  and  that  as  the  fi'r^rnoseof 
bearing  animals  l)ecame  exhausted,  the  huntenjjjjj,(|,j'j.j^  ] 
and  trappers  of  her  Hudson  Bay  Company  woulCjjjj,]  distin 
retire  with  the  game  towards  the  Nortli  Pole,  anil^^^,,,;  ^^^^ 
leave  us  in  the  quiet  and  peaceful  possession  of  tluQ^po.,',,)  j^_.^ 
country.  Unhappily,  sir,  all  this  was  but  a  beauti  ^^^1^  ^^^^^ 
ful  picture  of  the  miagination.  To  indulge  in  suci  jj^^  d'e!)ate 
anticipations,  and  to  act  upon  them,  would  be  ^'  hiivdr(d^']i 
shut  our  eyes  to  the  force  of  facts,  to  all  history^^^,,,  ,j.^„. 
and  exjicrience  of  the  operations  of  the  Britisl^,,,^^,^'^,.  ^.j. 
Government.  In  my  judgment,  sir,  such  a  \^(^^^^"ian'nuall'u! 
amounts  to  nothing  more  nor  less  than  the  voluii  djctcd.  \ 
tary  surrender  forever  of  all  claim  to  the  territor}(;jj„.,,]j,^.^  ^ 
north  of  the  Columbia  river;  stripped  of  all  ro^^j,],,  ^^,,(1  ^ 
mance  and  rhetorical  flourish,  the  proposition,  iic^u  cnii"-r< 
the  end,  amounts  to  nothing  else.  j^jr  rcfuse( 

Mr.  Chairman,  continue  this  falsely  called  eon  gritnin  tel 
vention  of  joint  occupancy  in  operation  anotht  ij^ve  rcfc 
term  of  ten  years,  and  we  shall  not  get  the  49t!4gpi,.it  ,-,f 
)mrallel  of  the  honorable  member  from  Virginia  t  final  adj. 
[Mr.  Bayly,]  nor  yet  the  49|  of  the  honorablio  tpjl  us't 
gentleman  froni  Indiana  [Mr.  Owen.]  No,  sir«io|„.  coi 
your  boundary  will  be  the  line  of  the  Columbi;«  (.]aim  yi 
river.  It  is  the  inevitable,  the  irresistible  result  ciaH  impaii 
such  a  )iolicy  !  Let  us  look  for  a  moment  at  tli'«  Jn  (jucsti( 
real  condiiion  of  things.  Under  the  cloak  aniBj.ituiii  to 
through  the  medium  of  her  instrument,  a  mam  gfie  had  | 
moth  corporation  clothed  with  sovereign  powers- fony  year 
the  East  India  Company  of  the  New  World-estahlislni 
Great  Britain  has  taken  the  exclusive  posscssio.'ated  by  l!i 
of  the  Oregon  territory.  True  to  the  designs  <  whiili  she 
her  far-.s-eemg  policy,  she  lias  planted  her  stroi!;gir,  :\\u\  hci 
holds  withintwo  hundred  miles  of  the  great  soui  al  of  Irt  i 
pass  of  the  Rocky  mountain?.  But  she  does  i:  Has  Gr 
sir,  with  the  intention  of  making  a  merit  of  tl.  or  faltt.riii: 
suricndcr  by  way  of  compromirjC  of  the  counlr  siir!  she 
soiitli  of  the  Columbia  river !  Did  she  not  tell  ye  of  her  coi 
in  182G,  when  she  proposed  such  a  compromise,  th,  but  up  to  t 
you  had  not  a  single  American  settler  north  of  th;  and  inwa- 
river  ?  Sir,  I  reail  from  her  statement  made  to  th  '  parts  of 
American  Minister  during  the  negotiations  of  1H2I' '  Can.ulas 

"  Great  Britain,  on  heV  part,  oflcrs  to  make  tl;  «  United  S 
'  river  the  boundary;  each  country  retaining  t! 
'  bank  of  the  river  contiguous  to  its  own  territoric:  ^ 
'  and  the  navigation  of  it  remaining  forever  frci  umoli  ovei 
'  and  upon  a  footing  of  perfect  equality  to  but 
'  nations.     To  carry-  into  effect  this  proposal,  c 
'our  part.  Great  Britain  would  have  to  give  r.  whiili  no  j 
'  posts  and  settlements  south  of  the  Columbia;  "  has  again ; 


tion  Amei 
possissioi 


and  opcne 
luni'i'ia  ri\ 


11 


urs,  [Mr.  Inger-.^j^p  ^^^^  ,,f  ^1,^  United  States,  there  could  l)c  no 
)S    ex  raorainary,  fff[^,y^^(ii  withdrawiiif,'  from  actual  occupation,  as 

II  '"  •  .1^    •?    .-n '  ifttrc  is  not,  and  nercr  has  been,  a  single  ^Imtrican 
II  quie  y  sit  still.  ^.,j.^„  ^^f^i^^j  „„,.^,,  ^^,^^  Columbia.^' 
gradually  and  ini-    g;^^  jj,_^^  ^^,,,i,.,^  ^^.^^  j,^^  ^^^^  i„  jggg  q^.^.^^  g,.;^, 
.very  territory  tn^^  ^^^^  ^.^j^Pi^  ^.^.j,    ^^^^  ^^^.^  gjj,^jj  po,jfi„^,(,  (^  ^^ 

tlian  forty  years^jjp  ^.^^^  ;„  jg^^;  -p^  j,,j^  ^  .  ^^.^  j^^^,^  ,^^j  ^^  ^j^^, 
f  consummate  di-^j^  ,^,^^gripj^j,  pi,;^^.^  i,^^^,^  ^^  the  Columbia  river, 
raud,  and  ot  per-^l,^^  ,1,^  ho,ioral)le  member  from  Indiana  [INlr. 
iiped  with  latuityo,vp J,.]  gt^^tej  ^]^^  f^^ct,  that  the  British  comi-any,  in 
,.  ,    ,  ,,  tJlcir  anxiety  to  prevent  American  settlement  on 

which  honorabl((j^,,  ^^^.j^  ,^,^,,1^  ^^^^^^  Columbia,  had  even  resorted 

sell  gratulatioijjjj        p[^^^g  f^^jjjj,  jj,,jp,,j^  ^j^^  honorable  number 

the  argument  o;^^^^  South  Carolina  [Mr.  Riiett)  seemed  to  think 
senator  trom  tntjj  ^  ^.  pleasant  and  advantatreous  mod(>  of  set- 
HOATE,]  who,  ir^u,,^  ji,p  (iiflieulty  on  our  part. 
)n  a  former  occh-  »f  ,,^  gentleman  from  Indiana  might  have  instanced 
at  ureal  iiritair^,^^  ,jnd  far  different  methods,  resorted  to  by  the 
her  purpose  thar^gp^.g  „f  i,,^  j^^-^^-^^^  Govern-uent,  to  cllcct  their 

thai  as  tne  Jur  p^^rpose  of  deterring  American  emiijration  from  the 
|5tetl,  the  huntenn^,.„,j,,.j^  ^,j^„j.  ^f  ^j^g  Columbia.  ^  An  honorable 

Company  woukand  distinguished  Senator  [Dr.  Lin'n]  from  Mis- 
iNortU  f  oie,  aiu^^^y,,;^  ^^^^  ,.,^  more,  whose  eflbrts  in  the  cause  of 
possession  of  tli»Qr(.p.,„j  j,„^.p  endeared  his  memory  to  the  North- 
was  but  a  Deauti^j.^.,^  ,(j^,(;d  f,.^^,^.j  jjjj,  pi;ire  in  the  "Senate,  durini?; 
,0  indulge  in  sue!  tjje  debate  of  184.3,  thai  up  to  1829  more  than  Jii-e  \ 
lem,  would  be  ^< hiivdrtiLlmrrican settlers Iwdbecn slain  bij  British  In- 

'  ^ef\  p"^v']«*iio"S  iccanng  British  blankets  and  cairyinir  British  ! 
IS  ot  the  Liritist^^^^/,^,,,.  „,„,  ^;,„,  ,/,^  ,j,p,.^.  ^yj,,^,/,  „.„,  still  rroin/r  on  \ 
sir,  such  a  polic)fl„,,,,,„^/y  /  I'l,,^  statement  has  never  been  contra-  ' 
is  than  the  voluiijijetcd.  Will  the  honorable  member  from  South  i 
11  to  the  territor;Ch,„ii„a  also  look  upon  this  as  a  pleasant,  a-rec-  | 
rippea  ot  all  ro  able,  and  advantaireous  process  of  chcckin;;Ameri-  ' 
e  proposiUon,  iica,i  emigration?  'Well,  sir,  the  United  States  hav- 
'  ,  „j  ing  refused  to  accede  to  this  proposal,  which.  Great  I 
falsely  called  con  Britain  tells  us,  in  the  same  document  to  which  I  ■ 

ic  , 

a  , 

she  proceeds  | 


operation  anotlu'iiaYc  referred,  was  "a  sacrifice  tendered  in  tl 
not  get  the  4Jt.iupi,.it  of  accommodation,  anu  for  llie  .sake  of 
"/'■"•^/"•g^";';  'final  adjustment  of  all  differences,"  she  procecoo 
of  the  honorabl'to  tell  us  that  her  offer  of  compromise  was  "  not 
"r^"*i'^  „  ,  '  ^'J'lobe  con.sidered  as  in  any  desjree  rccosrnisin"- a 
of  the  Columbi;.  claim  upon  the  i)art  of  the  United  Stairs^or  as  at 
esistible  result  vt^\\  impairing  her  existing  rights  over  the  territory 
a  moment  at  tlM'in  ,,uestion;"  and  that  it  only  remained  for  Great 
:r  the  cloak  anigfitaiii  to  maintain  and  uphold  her  rishts,  whicli 
itrument,  amaniahe  had  peaceably  exercised  for  a  period  of  near 
vemgn  powers- fori y  yf;ars;  that  valuable  Ilritish  interests  and 
le  New  World-estii!)iishnients  had  grown  up  in  the  couiUry,  cre- 
lusive  posscssioiate.l  by  l!ritish  indiistrv  and  Kriti^h  eiueriirise,  lo 
^0  the  designs  cwhi.'li  she  owed  and  would  j,nve  piotectinn.  Well, 
lanted  her  stroihgir,  :iik1  how  has  she  carried  nut  this  disiinct  avow- 
nf  the  great  soui.al  of  her  iiueniions? 

But  she  docs  i;     Has  Grual  Ihitriin  evinced  the  slightest  yieldina: 
g  a  merit  of  tl,  or  faltering,  fur  a  momeiu,  in  her  purposes?    No^ 
e  of  the  counlrsit!  she  has  extended  hrr  laws  and  the  jurisdiction 
d  she  not  tell  yo  of  her  courts  over  not  only  the  Oregon  tcrritorv, 
a  compromise,  th,:  but  up  to  the  very  confnios  ot"  Arkansas,  Missouri, 
jttler  north  of  th:  and  iiiwa— over  •■  all  Indian  territories  and  (itlier 
;ment  made  to  th- '  parts  of  N(irlh  Anurica  not  ineliRied  wiil.i.i  the 
foliations  of  18:3(: '  Can.i.ias.  nor  within  any  civil  i^i  veinnieiii  of  the 
fl'ers  to  make  tl;  «  Unitrd  States;"  nut  exce, •ting  from  their  op(^ra-  i 
itry  retaining  tl;  lion  xYnierican  citizer.s.     .She  has  taker,  military  i 
ts  own  territorie.- possessi(Ui  of  the  country;  her  ihiii'  floats  in  tri'- I 
ling  forever  frer  umuh  over  her  stronghokls.     She  lias  built  houses  \ 
e-iuality  to  hot!  and  ojiened  up  farms.     She  lias  est;. blished  the  Co- 
ins propo.sal,  e  lunibia  ri\er  as  the  line,  the  fartlie.sl  limit,  beyond  J 
have  to  give  v:  whii'h  no  American  settler  shall  jilant  hlniK  If.    She  | 
he  Columbia;  ":  has  again  and  again  rtjecied  and  repudiated  all  ofllrs  ' 


of  compromise  short  of  an  unconditional  accept- 
ance of  her  propositions  !  In  the  face  of  all  this, 
sir,  how  can  gentlemen  hope  that  time  will  weaken 
England  and  strengthen  us  ?  That  England,  '.'-hose 
grand  scheme  of  policy  is  to  belt  the  world  with 
her  colonies,  the  great  elements  of  her  commer- 
cial and  manufacturing  power!  England,  whose 
unsatisfied  and  unsalisnable  avarice  af\er  territory 
i3  as  insatiable  as  death !  England,  whom  the  hon- 
orable gentleman  from  Virginia  [Mr.  Ekdikger] 
denounces  as  "  bloody  and  jiiratical !"  England, 
ready  and  resolved,  as  these  gentlemen  tell  us,  to 
consider  the  simple  exercise  upon  our  part  of  a 
right  guarantied  to  us  by  solemn  convention,  to 
which  she  is  herself  a  party,  as  a  declaration  of 
war !  That  such  a  Power,  sir,  should  meekly  and 
quietly,  and  with  smiling  acquiescence,  loo.se  her 
grasp  upon  a  territory,  and  surrender  to  us  a  posi- 
tion which  is  to  secure  her  the  commerce  of  the 
Pacific  and  ensure  the  sole  command  of  the  In- 
dian ocean !  Sir,  can  any  proposition  be  more 
absurd  ? 

But,  sir,  the  advocates  of  this  doctrine  seem  re- 
solved that  nothing  shall  be  wanting  to  render  the 
whole  scheme  more  perfei  i  ly  fatuitous.  The  insid- 
ious design,  stripped  of  all  concealment,  has  been 
openly  proclaimed.  It  has  passed  from  this  Hall 
to  the  public  prints,  and  already  is  on  its  way  over 
the  ocean,  on  the  wings  of  the  wind  and  of  steam, 
to  spread  itself  liefore  the  British  Parliament,  and 
find  its  way  to  the  tables  of  the  British  Cabinet. 
And  with  this  development  of  their  policy,  gentle- 
men fondly  trust  that  the  British  Government, 
with  that  magnanimity  and  disinterestedness  for 
which  she  is  ho  remarkable ,  relinquishing  her  lonjr- 
cherishcd  policy,  will  kindly  co-operate  in  our  pur- 
poses !  But,  sir,  unfortunately  for  this  plan.  Great 
Biitain  has  not  left  us  any  room  for  doubt  upon 
the  subject  of  her  intentions  with  regard  to  the 
Oregon  territory.  She  has  given  us  record  evi- 
dence of  her  designs.  In  February,  1837,  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company  ap]ilied  to  the  British 
Government  for  a  renewal  cf  the  lease  under  which 
they  Jiold  the  sovereignty  of  the  northwest  coast. 
In  this  applicatiiui  are  spread  out  the  grounds  upon 
which  the  company  rely,  as  commending  their  pe- 
tition to  the  favorable  consideration  of  tiie  Home 
Governnienl.  Among  other  statements,  sir,  I  find 
the  following: 

"With  care  and  protectidu,  the  Britisli  dfuninion 
'  may  not  only  be  preserved  in  this  country,  which 
'  it  has  been  so  much  the  wish  of  Russia  and  Amer- 
'  ica  to  occupy,  to  the  exclusion  of  Briti^h  subjects, 
'  but  !h-itish  interest  and  British  influence  may  be 
'  in;i;ntaineil  as  paranuinnt  on  this  interesting  part 
'  of  the  ceiast  of      .  Paiufic." 

Again,  sir,  in  the  same  year,  the  agent  of  the 
company  writes: 

"The  possession  of  ih;>t  country  (Oreiron)  to 
'  Great  Brittiin  may  become  an  object  of  very  ^'reat 
'  iinporlani'e:  and  we  are  slrcnstlnning  their  claim 
'  to  it  hij  fimning  the  nucleus  of  a  iotunij,  through 
'  the  establishment  of  firms  and  the  settleineiit  of 
'  some  of  our  retiring  olHecrs  and  servants  as  agri- 
'  culturi^l'^.'" 

Sir,  such  arguments  were  ii-resistiblc  to  ilie 
British  Guveriniuui.     The  request  of  the  com- 


12 


pany  was  at  once  granted,  and  the  Secretary  for 
the  Colonies,  in  his  reply,  tells  the  company,  "  that 
'  it  will  be  indispensaole  to  introduce  into  the  new 
'  charter  such  conditions  as  may  enable  her  Ma- 
'  jesty  to  grant,  for  tiie  purpose  of  settlement  and 
'  colonization,  any  of  the  lands  comprised  in  it." 

In  conformity  with  this  announcement  ftiom  the 
Tiriiish  Secretary  for  Colonial  Affairs,  the  British 
Vjovernment  have  expressly  reserved  the  right  to 
se^de  and  colonize  any  portion  of  the  territory 
within  her  grant  to  the  company,  and  to  repeal  the 
charter  as  to  those  portions  which  should  be  so 
colonized.  Here  it  is,  as  contained  in  the  charter 
of  the  company : 

•'  Provided,  nevertheless,  and  we  do  hereby  de- 
'  clare  our  pleasure  to  be.  That  nothing  herein  con- 
'  tained  shall  extend  or  be  construed  to  prevent 
'  the  establishment  by  us,  our  heirs,  or  successors, 
'  within  the  territories  aforesaid,  or  any  of  them, 
'  of  any  colony  or  colonies,  province  or  provinces, 
'  or  for  annexmg  any  part  of  the  aforesaid  territo- 
'  ries  to  any  existing  colony  or  colonies  to  us  in 
'  right  of  our  imperial  crown  belonging,  or  (or  con- 
'  stituting  any  such  form  of  civil  government  as 
'  to  us  may  seem  meet,  within  any  such  colony  or 
'  colonies,  or  provinces.  And  we  do  hereby  re- 
'  serve  to  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  full  power 
'  and  authority  to  revoke  these  presents,  or  any 
'  part  thereof,  in  so  far  as  the  same  may  embrace 
'  or  extend  to  any  of  the  territories  aforesaid,  which 
,  may  hereafter  be  comprised  within  any  colony  or 
'  colonies,  province  or  provinces,  as  aforesaid." 

Here,  sir,  we  find  distinctly  shadowed  out  the 
policy  of  Great  Britain  in  relation  to  the  Oregon 
territory.  It  is  her  clear  and  manifest  intention  to 
secure,  by  permanent  agricultural  settlement  in  this 
territory,  another  of  those  salient  points,  by  which, 
in  her  vast  designs,  she  hopes  to  control  the  com- 
merce and  business  of  the  world ! 

In  ftirtherance  of  this  policy,  by  an  express  pro- 
vision in  the  contracts  of  the  Hudson  Bay  Compa- 
ny with  their  employees,  the  company  bind  them- 
selves to  give  to  each,  upon  the  termination  of  his 
service,  a  grant  of  land  in  the  territory;  thereby 
strengthening  the  British  claim,  by  establishing 
agricultural  settlements,  which  are  to  form  the 
^'nucleus  of  a  colony.'^    By  the  aid  of  the  Puget 


Sound  Company,  which  has  been  alluded  to  by 
the  honorable  member  from  Indiana,  [Mr.  Owen, 
these  settlements  have  been  extended  and  enlarged 
and  are  already  rapidly  growing  in  value  and  ini 
portance.  A  profitable  trade  in  lumber  is  growinj 
up  between  these  British  colonists  and  the  Sand 
wich  islands,  and  they  are  already  annually  sup 
plying  the  Russian  settlements  with  large  quanti 
ties  of  wheat  and  all  the  great  provision  staples 
Sir,  are  we  to  shut  our  eyes  to  all  these  facts  !  An 
we  to  continue  to  slumber  and  refuse  to  listen  ti 
the  truth — to  feed  the  fancy  with  false  and  idli 
hopes !  Is  not  the  policy  and  designs  of  En^lam 
painted  upon  her  acts  in  characters  of  living  light 
What  is  tliere,  in  this  prospect,  to  encourage  tin 
vain  hope  with  which  gentlemen  amuse  us,  thii 
the  British  power  is  about  to  retire  before  thi 
American  settler,  and  that  our  ears  are  soon  tr 
catch  the  sound  of  the  axe  of  thu  American  wood 
chopper  north  of  the  Columbia,  whilst  the  distaii 
notes  of  the  retiring  hunter's  horn  fast  die  awa) 
towards  the  frozen  north .'  Tliese  are  but  dreams 
and  no  practical  mind  can  be  deceived  by  suci 
arguments,  if  arguments  they  can  be  called.  No 
sir.  Our  policy  is  plain;  our  course  straightfor 
ward.  It  is  my  deliberate  belief  that  the  notio 
is  the  first  essential  step  to  bring  this  controvers} 
to  a  speedy  and  successful  termination,  and  thii. 
end  this  interminable  delay  which  is  fast  stealing 
away  our  rights. 

Sir,  it  is  no  longer  a  question  of  title;  it  is  a  quejs 
tiou  of  action;  it  is  a  question  of  possession.  I 
we  mean  not  to  abandon  our  rights,  we  must  act- 
speedily  and  efficiently.  My  course  would  be  tin 
same,  if  I  entertained  the  same  opinion  the  honor 
able  member  from  Virginia  [Mr.  Bayly]  seemcc 
to  entertain,  that  our  title  was  limited  to  the  forty 
ninth  paiallel.  Sir,  if  we  own  one  inch  upon  'in 
northwest  coast,  I  desire  to  hold  that  inch  free  fron 
all  partnership.  In  this  way  only  can  we  hope  ii 
realize  that  beautiful  dream  of  our  imaginations- 
when  the  American  flag,  planted  upon  the  summi 
of  the  Rocky  mountains,  shall  embrace  within  it 
broad  protecting  folds  our  common  country — "ai 
ocean-bound  Republic. "  If  war  must  come  in  tlh 
prosecution  of  our  just  and  unquestionable  righu< 
then,  sir,  let  it  come ' 


I    '      ■     !  I     I   ■   ' 


:  i-\:y.    ; 


•v\.'i\  :'•>■. 


riV"  ^'u.    ItJJi 


sen  alluded  to  bj 
ina,  [Mr.  Owen, 
idedand  enlarged 
in  value  and  ini 
umber  is  growinj 
sts  and  the  Sand 
idy  annually  sup 
vith  large  quanti 
provision  staples 
these  facts !  An 
efuse  to  listen  t( 
ith  false  and  idir 
3signR  of  Englaiii 
3rs  of  living  light 
,  to  encourage  tlit 
a  amuse  us,  thiv 
retire  before  thi 
ears  are  soon  tc 
American  wood 
whilst  the  distan 
)rn  fast  die  awa) 
e  are  but  dreams 
leceived  by  sucl 
n  be  called.  No 
ourse  straightfor 
f  that  the  notici 
i;  this  controvers} 
ination,  and  thin 
;h  is  fast  stealiiii 

f  title;  it  is  aquee 
)f  possession.  1 
ts,  we  must  act— 
urse  would  be  th( 
pinion  the  honor 
•.  Bayly]  seemec 
nited  to  the  forty 
one  inch  upon  tin 
hat  inch  free  froii 
y  can  we  hope  ti 
ur  imaginations- 
upon  the  summi 
mbrace  within  ii. 
on  country — "at 
•  must  come  in  tli' 
lestionuble  right.'^ 


■■■."it-'"'-  ■'  ■*  -".■'  ^ 


